Bhawanipatna: Twenty policemen were found flouting the mandatory helmet rule during a drive to catch violators here on Tuesday.

Wearing helmets have been made mandatory across Kalahandi district since December 26 last year. During the drive, police have booked several riders and fined them for not adhering to the helmet rule.

Inspector in charge of Bhawanipatna town police station Satya Narayan Pradhan took part in the drive in the reserve police area and near the office of the Kalahandi police chief.

Police sources said that 62 bikers, including 20 cops, were found guilty of not following the helmet rule. Despite repeated pleas by the police and awareness programmes, several riders refuse to follow the helmet rule.

Inspector-in-charge Pradhan said the drive was part of a routine check that would be conducted at frequent intervals.

"Despite repeated appeals and awareness drives some people do not wear helmets. Such checks will continue from time to time. We have collected Rs 9,600 as fine from those who didn't wear helmets while driving," Pradhan said.

The helmet rule was implemented in the district last year after a massive awareness campaign jointly carried out by the police and transport department.

Penalising cops has, however, gone down well with the people of Bhawanipatna.

Bhawanipatna resident Jayaram Sahu said it was good to see the police taking action against the erring staff of their own fraternity.

"It sends a good message when the police take action and penalise their own erring staff. This kind of action exudes confidence in the police," he said.