In directives issued on Tuesday, traffic police have been instructed not to use sirens in the city. They aim at ``reducing the cacophony, which is rudely obtrusive for citizens'', said police officials here. ``Moreover, ministers aren't even entitled to such a privilege.''

Quite true, for according to the Blue Book, only the president, the vice-president, the prime minister, governors and chief ministers can be escorted by siren-blaring vehicles. In practice, however, the presence of almost every minister is announced by a blare of horns.

In fact, according to sources, the directive was issued after State Minister for Water Supply and city MLA Narottam Patel allegedly insisted on the sirens being sounded while he was passing through the city last week, despite being told that it was against the rules. ``Top police officials heard the siren being blown in the Athwalines area; that triggered the directive'', said a constable.

While the minister was not available for comment, sources said a departmental inquiry has been ordered against the two escort-constables. Interestingly, an official even said that they were contemplating the withdrawal of escort vehicles altogether in the city.

``No law sanctions priority for anyone other than those mentioned in the protocol book so far as traffic is concerned'', a senior police official told Express Newsline, confirming that such a directive had been passed.

``Sirens will no longer blare when a minister passes through the city. Such a directive is in the interest of people as they are the ones inconvenienced''.