Senior journalist, Amritsar.
Traffic Inspector Jaspal Singh Sandhu sipping tea with a two and a half inch glass, 3 kilometer long traffic jam on the road, more than half a dozen traffic personnel standing nearby, all standing as mute spectators. This was the scene on the way to Ghee Mandi Chowk (Shri Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar, the time was around 5 pm on Saturday. Meanwhile, a top journalist is stopped and first he is given absurd answers, then the inspector ji speaks nonsense to him about the profession related to journalism. He listens to the inspector ji very carefully and later he (the top journalist) is asked to leave from here immediately. In such a situation, it is natural to ask questions to Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar and ADCP Traffic Harpal Singh, why some of your traffic police inspectors are pushing journalists, why they are being humiliated by stopping them at the checkpost without any reason.
This matter has now reached the Punjab-Chandigarh Journalist Association. Condemning this working style of the traffic police, they said that they are going to meet the traffic commissioner soon with a team. A memorandum will also be handed over to him. This was confirmed by Union Vice President Malkit Singh during a special conversation.
It has been learned that there are not one but many complaints against this traffic inspector. Especially, he enjoys getting into fights with journalists and humiliating them. 20 percent of top journalists associated with the journalism profession said in their complaint that we cannot call all traffic inspectors wrong, because some inspectors in the department do their work very honestly.
But, there are some inspectors working in the department whose job is to stop journalists on purpose, then ask for their identity card, then humiliate them and later tell them to leave. Many journalists have told in their complaint that we follow the traffic rules as per the law. Despite that, the traffic inspectors of the police deliberately stop them and humiliate them. This is absolutely wrong. They demanded that the Police Commissioner and Traffic Commissioner should take strict action against them.
….The traffic police has forgotten this.
The first duty of the traffic police is to control the traffic of the city, remove the jam. But, this is not happening at all. Amritsar city of Punjab is facing a lot of traffic problem. The traffic police is not paying any attention to that. Most of them are seen drinking tea and talking on mobile and some are busy issuing challans one after the other. If the passengers ask these people for directions, then these people start fighting with them. In such a situation, the traffic department should give priority to smooth traffic. Then the problem can be solved. Otherwise, it can take a terrible form in the future.
Challan’s being issued in quick succession
According to the report, Punjab Traffic Police has been issuing challans to vehicles in quick succession since January 2025. Complaints are also coming that no one is being given an opportunity to present their case. Not only this, people associated with emergency services are also not being spared. Many times their requests are also ignored. In such a situation, a victim told that a few days ago the traffic police stopped him deliberately. The documents were also complete, despite that his challan was issued. He was also told to go to an emergency hospital. But, the said traffic inspector did not listen to a single word.
Instead of challan, people should be made aware
Social worker Indrajit Singh said that if challan is to be issued, then it should be issued to those who do not have complete documents. In such a situation, at least those who follow the rules should not be harassed. The system of debiting the challan money from the driver’s bank account should be used. This will also reduce the trouble for the driver.
Harassing journalists without reason is wrong
Vice President of Punjab Chandigarh Journalist Association (Regd.) Malkit Singh said that the traffic police is doing absolutely wrong by making journalists stand at the check post and then humiliating them. Not only this, they are being threatened with challan. This is absolutely wrong. Journalists always work on a system of cooperation with the police. Soon the union is going to meet Traffic Commissioner Harpal Singh regarding this issue. A memorandum will also be submitted.
Complaint given to CM
Top official of Human Rights Organization Parveen Sehgal said that he has sent a complaint against the traffic police to the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office. Regarding this issue, he had written a written letter to the CM, DGP Punjab Police and other concerned departments. He had clearly stated in his letter that the traffic police is pushing the drivers and the general public. Now pushing journalists is absolutely wrong. Journalists are the fourth pillar of the world.
…. did not pick up the phone
When we contacted Traffic Commissioner Harpal Singh in this regard, he did not consider it appropriate to pick up our phone. Sources have revealed that he was busy in some work.