Days after baton promise, traffic constables thrashed

In separate incidents, two traffic constables were assaulted after they stopped motorists for traffic violations.

The first incident took place at Bhor junction on Western Express Highway, Kandivali, and the second at Durga Nagar Junction, Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR). Ironically, the incidents have come just three days after Mumbai Commissioner of Police Satyapal Singh announced that traffic constables will be given batons for better management on the roads.

Traffic Constable Nandkumar Shivaji Bankar (49) attached to the Kandivali traffic outpost, was on duty at Bhor Junction around 9 pm on Saturday when he saw Ravi Hirve (39) driving a Maruti Zen taking a wrong turn. He was also not wearing his seat belt. Bankar asked Hirve to pull over on the side. In his statement to Samta Nagar police station, Bankar alleged that Hirve did not pay heed and tried to knock him down. He then stopped the car a little ahead and started abusing him, Bankar claimed.

"His co-passengers alighted the vehicle and started beating him up. The three assaulted Bankar and kicked him several times in the stomach as he fell to the ground," says Inspector LG Shinde from the Samta Nagar police station. The accused then fled the scene while the traffic constable was taken to hospital by residents. He is currently receiving treatment for injuries on the chest, stomach, left eye, left ear, mouth and private parts. He is said to be in a stable condition.

"We arrested Hirve when he came to Bhagwati Hospital late on Saturday to get some medicines. We also arrested two other accused Vijay Kewat (26), a housekeeping employee at a mall, and Pradeep Bhalekar (26), an employee with a private firm. The fourth accused is absconding," added Shinde.

Four hours before Bankar was assaulted, another traffic cop, Maruti Rama Pawadmal (40) was beaten up. Pawadmal was manning traffic at Durga Nagar Junction on JVLR when he saw Aslam Khan (32) speeding past a red signal. When he was asked to stop, Khan allegedly tried to run him over. He then smashed the cop's walkie-talkie after assaulting him.

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