By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 27: VPP chief and Nongkrem legislator Ardent M Basaiawmoit on Friday raised concerns over road safety, victim compensation, and alleged harassment during police traffic checks.
Participating in a cut motion discussion on the Police department, Basaiawmoit highlighted rising fatalities caused by reckless parking of heavy vehicles and poorly maintained roads. He cited a recent fatal accident in East Jaintia Hills where a doctor died, allegedly due to a lack of warning signs at a damaged road section. He urged the government to strengthen road safety through better engineering, stricter enforcement, and improved emergency care. On compensation, the VPP leader noted that poor families often struggle to access support under the Motor Vehicles Act. He called on the government to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive financial assistance in a timely manner.
Basaiawmoit also criticised traffic enforcement practices, alleging that police personnel often fine drivers immediately for missing documents instead of allowing the legally mandated time to produce them. He termed such actions “harassment” and claimed they frequently lead to “negotiations” between drivers and the police.
Regarding recruitment, the legislator demanded greater transparency, stating that marks should be declared alongside results to prevent allegations of manipulation. He also urged the government to provide age relaxation due to recruitment delays and to ensure eligibility criteria are clearly communicated in advertisements to avoid confusion among candidates.
