Chandigarh Traffic police has issued challan o as many as 128 women for not wearing a helmet while riding two-wheelers on the first day of the challan drive on Wednesday. The traffic police will continue their awareness campaign for another 10 days while also issuing challans to the offenders. While first-time offenders have to pay up Rs 300, the fine will get doubled subsequently.
Cops were seen deployed at major intersections during the peak hours in the morning. Many women claimed they were not aware of the rules despite extensive awareness campaigns carried out in the past two months.
Hardeep Singh MC Councillor of the eight member delegation claimed that the Punjab Raj Bhawan officers had assured that the challan drive against women would not be held for the next 10 days. “The officers present at the Punjab Raj Bhawan assured us that our demand of exempting all Sikh women from this traffic rule will be sent to the Home Ministry in Delhi for the next decision. We apprised the officers at the Governor’s House that Delhi Police has already exempted all Sikh women from wearing helmet while riding two-wheelers,” Hardeep said.
However, Chandigarh Police denied his claim. DSP Pawan Kumar, spokesman of UT Police, said, “The challan drive against the women riders not wearing helmet and awareness drive encouraging women to wear helmet will run simultaneously.”
The awareness drive was launched on July 6 when a notification was issued by the UT Administration making the use of helmet compulsory for women two-wheeler riders, except Sikhs wearing a turban.
