An image of sirens.
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The circular issued by the Director General of Police (DGP) M A Saleem restricting the use of sirens by VIP escort vehicles is a step in the right direction. It addresses a long-standing source of public nuisance and sends a strong message against the VIP culture that plagues our roads.
Sirens serve a clear purpose: to alert people during emergencies and to facilitate the swift passage of ambulances, police vehicles, or fire engines. However, their misuse has led to noise pollution and confusion among motorists who can no longer distinguish between a genuine emergency and VIP movement. Some argue that sirens help alert traffic police at junctions. But in an age of wireless communication, this justification is outdated. Efficient coordination can easily be managed through walkie-talkies and control room alerts.
The indiscriminate use of sirens only adds to public inconvenience, disrupts traffic flow, and could even expose the VIP route, creating a security risk rather than mitigating one. Worse still, since the Supreme Court banned the use of beacon lights, many motorists have begun using flashing lights on their vehicles, turning roads into theatres of power and privilege. This further misleads the public and undermines the idea of equality before law.
The problem, however, runs deeper. Even those without credible threats travel with armed escorts, pilot vehicles, and excessive security, draining scarce police resources and perpetuating a notion that some lives matter more than others. MLAs, spiritual leaders, and even activists – many who do not hold any constitutional office – enjoy such privileges. The DGP must go beyond the siren order and conduct a thorough audit of all security allocations. Those without verified threats should have their police protection withdrawn or scaled down.
A clear Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) should be formulated, specifying who qualifies for security escorts, with proper justification. In exceptional cases, where individuals require such arrangements, prior approval should be mandatory from the Superintendent of Police or the Commissioner. Strict action should be initiated against officers who extend the facility to unauthorised politicians or self-styled VIPs without proper sanction.
A special drive should be undertaken to identify the current rampant misuse and take corrective steps. Policemen are not status symbols for the powerful; their duty lies in protecting the public, preventing crime, and maintaining order. Roads must be equal for all citizens. The unchecked VIP culture that grants impunity and privilege to a select few, at the expense of the many, should end.