<p>A Sub-Inspector and two policemen have been placed under suspension after they demanded bribe from three police personnel, including a Superintendent of Police, disguised as workmen of a truck carrying river sand.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The unsuspecting policemen ran into the trap laid by Kannur Superintendent of Police Rahul R Nair, after getting several complaints about them demanding bribes from truckers, especially those carrying river sand in violation of rules, police said today.<br /><br />The SP and two policemen, the latter in lungi and shabby shirts, got into a truck carrying sand to a construction site in the wee hours yesterday. The truck was carrying sand from Ponnani in Malappuram to Mattannur in Kannur district and it had all required papers.<br /><br />As the truck entered Kannur district, the SI and policemen from the Control Room at Thalassery stopped it for checking but could not find anything illegal to take up a case.<br /><br />At this juncture, the SP, who was sitting in the truck's cabin without being noticed told them that the lorry did not have emission certificate, which is liable to attract a fine. The police party then demanded that the trucker pay either Rs 1000 as fine or settle the matter for a mere Rs 100.<br /><br />The SP then alighted from the truck and revealed his identity to the shock of the three police personnel.He then referred the case to the local Circle Inspector.<br /><br />The erring policemen were later placed under suspension pending a detailed inquiry, sources said.<br /><br />Strict rules are in force in Kerala to check river sand mining in view of the threat it poses to the environment.</p>
<p>A Sub-Inspector and two policemen have been placed under suspension after they demanded bribe from three police personnel, including a Superintendent of Police, disguised as workmen of a truck carrying river sand.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The unsuspecting policemen ran into the trap laid by Kannur Superintendent of Police Rahul R Nair, after getting several complaints about them demanding bribes from truckers, especially those carrying river sand in violation of rules, police said today.<br /><br />The SP and two policemen, the latter in lungi and shabby shirts, got into a truck carrying sand to a construction site in the wee hours yesterday. The truck was carrying sand from Ponnani in Malappuram to Mattannur in Kannur district and it had all required papers.<br /><br />As the truck entered Kannur district, the SI and policemen from the Control Room at Thalassery stopped it for checking but could not find anything illegal to take up a case.<br /><br />At this juncture, the SP, who was sitting in the truck's cabin without being noticed told them that the lorry did not have emission certificate, which is liable to attract a fine. The police party then demanded that the trucker pay either Rs 1000 as fine or settle the matter for a mere Rs 100.<br /><br />The SP then alighted from the truck and revealed his identity to the shock of the three police personnel.He then referred the case to the local Circle Inspector.<br /><br />The erring policemen were later placed under suspension pending a detailed inquiry, sources said.<br /><br />Strict rules are in force in Kerala to check river sand mining in view of the threat it poses to the environment.</p>