Police Anger Mounts Over Extended Traffic Duty and Politically Motivated Transfers

Kozhikode: Political transfers, an increase in traffic duty hours and the deployment of even pregnant women police personnel for traffic duty have triggered strong resentment among the police force. Politically motivated transfers, including those involving women police personnel, are continuing in the district. In recent days, two personnel were transferred from the Crime Branch and the Women's Police Station in violation of the rules.

The increase in traffic duty hours comes at a time when measures are being taken to reduce mental stress among police personnel by granting them compulsory leave. The duty hours of personnel assigned to sector duty and patrolling city traffic have been increased by two hours. The official duty time for traffic police personnel is six hours. However, they usually work continuously for 12 hours, from 8 am to 8 pm, and are given a holiday the following day. They have now been instructed to work two additional hours until 10 pm as they are given leave the next day.

The extension has particularly affected police personnel who depend on public transport. Many are reportedly finding it difficult to return home. Police personnel said bus services to most parts of the city are limited after 10 pm, forcing many to use their own vehicles.

There are 10 sectors in the city. Personnel assigned to each sector have to travel by vehicle across different parts of the city and immediately intervene and take follow-up action in the event of traffic problems or accidents.

Personnel on sector duty already return after working for nearly 10 continuous hours. In this situation, police personnel say there is no need to increase traffic sector duty by another two hours.