Gujarat cops say no to gas masks

Gujarat cops say no to gas masks
NANDINI OZA

VADODARA, FEBRUARY 9: A fortnight after 300 gas masks were given to the state traffic department by Gujarat Refinery, they are nowhere to be seen. Only an estimated 10 per cent of the 250 traffic policemen here have begun wearing the masks, says ACP (Traffic), Siddharth Khattri.

The cause for the policemen's reluctance would be hilarious, were the matter less serious. ``Although I know it is beneficial, I have not used it so far because it is difficult to blow the whistle with the mask on'', says constable Natu Rathwa. The motorists don't stop unless the whistle is blown, says another constable, Arjun Kodi.

Constable Surendra Chavda says he still has not gone to collect the mask. ``My eyes burn and throat is also affected,'' Chavda says, adding that time permitting, he will go to collect the mask.

``The response has been poor and the constables have complained that they cannot blow the whistle,'' ACP Khatri says.

The benefits of the masks are explained to the constables at each roll call, he says,adding that they cannot be forced to wear the masks.