Why Did Kolkata Police Seize an Army Truck for Dangerous Driving?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a surprising turn of events, an Indian Army truck was seized by the Kolkata Traffic Police for reckless driving near the convoy of Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma. This incident has raised eyebrows amidst ongoing political tensions, especially after the Army's involvement in dismantling a protest stage for the Trinamool Congress. What does this mean for civil-military relations?
Key Takeaways
- The Kolkata Traffic Police seized an Army truck for reckless driving.
- The incident occurred near the Kolkata Police Commissioner's convoy.
- The Army personnel reported the incident to their higher officials.
- This event follows political tensions involving the Indian Army and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
- The truck was taken to Hare Street Police Station for further action.
Kolkata, Sep 2 (NationPress) On Tuesday, the Kolkata Traffic Police confiscated an Indian Army truck in central Kolkata due to its reckless driving in close proximity to Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma's convoy. The incident occurred in front of the Writers' Buildings (the former state secretariat) in BBD Square, near Lalbazar (the headquarters of Kolkata Police).
As per the Kolkata Traffic Police, the Army vehicle, which originated from Fort William (the Eastern Command headquarters of the Indian Army), was reportedly driving dangerously while passing the convoy of City Police Commissioner Manoj Verma, who was en route to the passport office.
“Despite instructions to reduce speed, the Army truck continued its reckless driving. The Kolkata Police Commissioner was heading to Lalbazar, and his vehicles were trailing behind the Army truck. The traffic police intervened, but the driver ignored the warning and persisted with his dangerous driving. At that point, the vehicle was halted,” explained a senior officer from the Kolkata Traffic Police.
Following the stop, the Army truck was parked outside St. Andrew's Church in BBD Bagh. The personnel in the truck reported that the situation had been communicated to Fort William.
“We slowed down because of a turn. After making a right turn, the police claimed we were driving dangerously since several vehicles, including those of the city police commissioner, followed us. We were stopped and are now being taken to a police station. We have alerted our higher officials about the incident,” stated an Army jawan present in the truck.
Subsequently, officers from Hare Street Police Station arrived at the scene and seized the Army truck, which was then taken to the Hare Street Police Station.
This incident follows a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Centre of “misusing” the Indian Army, after soldiers dismantled a stage set up by the Trinamool Congress to protest against alleged atrocities towards Bengali-speaking migrant workers in BJP-ruled states.
On Monday, the Indian Army dismantled the Trinamool's stage near the Gandhi statue in the Maidan area of central Kolkata, an area under Army control. Upon hearing of the incident, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rushed to the scene to protest against the Army’s actions. The Army jawans halted their dismantling efforts upon her arrival and vacated the area.
Point of View
It is crucial to approach incidents like these with a balanced perspective. The intersection of civil authority and military operations must always be handled with care and respect for the law. This recent event not only highlights the need for clear communication between departments but also underscores the importance of maintaining public trust in both civil and military institutions.
NationPress
02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Army truck in Kolkata?
The Kolkata Traffic Police seized an Indian Army truck for dangerous driving near the convoy of Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma.
Why was the Army truck driving dangerously?
The truck was reportedly driving recklessly while passing the convoy of the Police Commissioner, despite being instructed to slow down.
What was the political context behind this incident?
The incident occurred a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Centre of misusing the Army during a political protest against the BJP.
What actions were taken by the police?
The Kolkata Traffic Police intervened, stopped the truck, and later seized it, taking it to Hare Street Police Station.
What is the significance of this event?
This event highlights the tension between civil authorities and military operations, raising questions about accountability and governance.
