TEAM HERALD
CANACONA: The Canacona Road Transport Office (RTO) took it easy by fining only 15 two-wheeler motorists for riding without helmets, but they were confronted by stiff resistance as well as abuses and threats by many motorists.
The police also conducted a special drive on Wednesday and issued 25 challans to motorists on account of various violations, including riding without helmets,” informed a police source.
According to RTO sources, motorists were noticeably angry after being penalized for riding without helmets and began bitterly complaining to transport officials, accusing them of harassing the public.
Some motorists even went to the extent of noting down the identity of RTO officers on duty and threatened to complain to the ministers and politicians about the alleged harassment to the public.
According to an eyewitness, some motorists were heard abusing the RTO officials for penalizing them for not wearing helmets, claiming that the helmet rule was not beneficial to anyone, other than the helmets manufacturers.
The Canacona RTO went soft on the first day of the helmet rule and only kept a track of the highway section at Gulem. They issued 15 challans to two-wheeler riders for not wearing helmets.
“We were at the receiving end of the angry motorists, after they were issued challans. Ministers and other higher officers only make the rules, but we at the lower level are left to face the fury of the angry public,” complained an RTO official.
While authorities are yet to enforce the helmet rule strictly along the internal roads, residents are reportedly planning to oppose any move to enforce the helmet rule on internal roads.
Motorcycle pilots have also begun complaining that the helmet rule would affect their livelihood.
