Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has announced that the state government will come up with a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the use of sirens, tinted glasses, and flickering lights in the state, which will be strictly implemented to minimize the inconvenience caused to the public.
The Chief Minister said, “ been receiving numerous complaints from citizens about what many are calling ‘VIP culture.’ This is undoubtedly a serious concern. However, it’s crucial to examine this issue from multiple perspectives. While there’s a legitimate need for security and safety, these concerns should not be intertwined with a sense of entitlement. Safety and security are paramount and should never be compromised. Yet, when these concerns become more of an attitude of privilege and are misused, that’s where the real problem lies.”
Sangma revealed that he convened a meeting last week with Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong, the Chief Secretary, and the DGP to address the issue of excessive use of sirens, tinted glasses, and flashing lights. He said the police department has been tasked with creating a SOP that will specify who is permitted to use these privileges and who is not
Once prepared, the SOP will be strictly implemented, including the protocols to be followed while using sirens, flickering lights, and other devices, he said.
The Chief Minister said that the SOP will be brought before the Cabinet by next week. “We will be creating a strict SOP regarding who can and who cannot use the sirens, tinted glasses, or flickering lights, where they can be used, and how they should be used.”
However, he acknowledged the importance of safety and security protocols. He stated that individuals with Z+, Z, and Y-category security require specific protocols that cannot be compromised.
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“As I previously mentioned, while it’s crucial to prioritize safety and security, we must also ensure that these measures aren’t misused to the point of becoming a public nuisance. Striking the right balance between these two is essential,” Sangma said.
“We hope that through this SOP, which will come out very soon, we would be able to minimize the inconvenience caused to the public,” he added.
