I was riding down from Mussoorie just now. About halfway down, I noticed a Red Maruti Zen being driven very rashly. Worse, There was a guy leaning out of the right rear window and giving everyone on the road the finger. No guesses, a car full of drunks. While waiting for a good opportunity to pass this car safely, suddenly the guy who was leaning out tried to scare a biker coming from the other direction. He leaned out and pretended to grab the biker, very seriously scaring the guy, who almost lost control. After a few moments, I got a chance to pass the car. A couple of kilometres down, I noticed a scooter on its side, with some youngsters around it. I stopped to find out if they were all right. Turns out the scooter had a flat tyre. Just then the red car comes and the men shout obscenities at a couple of girls who were with the youngsters. I decided to tail the car, well, if they mess up, at least there will be a witness. Then they badly scared a couple of girls who were on a scooter. That was the last straw, I decided to report the car to the police check post a few kilometres down the road. While passing the car, the driver purposely swerved into me. That for me was IT. I zoomed to the police check post, which fortunately has mobile barriers. I gave the car number to the cops and they promptly barricaded the road and stopped the car. The car driver initially feigned ignorance. Then of course, traditional Indian car driver belligerence began. i was accused of not minding my own business and a lot of finger wagging and usual obscenities. I kept my cool and the cops formed a barrier between me and the car guys. Must say the cops from Mussoorie Police Station, were as cool as cucumbers. They asked the car guy for his papers, which were not there. The driver fumbled about his license. By now it was clearly apparent that the five guys in the car were all in different stages of drunkenness, the driver thankfully the most sober of the lot. The cops then asked all of them for personal identification. And to my surprise the tables just turned. We often underestimate our cops, but they are very smart when they want to be. Turns out all the men, barring the driver, were Army soldiers. It took me a second to notice the haircuts, but the cops had made them way before. Two lines --- Submit your id. Come for a medical test. That was enough. Grown men who are trained to kill, started grovelling, literally weeping an apology. They even tried to tug at my sentiments saying they had just come for a day out having landed from a tough posting. I stood my ground. The cops read the letter of the law to them and threatened to call the local Army liaison officer. The cops gave me a look enquiring if the matter should be taken further. I decided to drop it. The driver was fined Rs 1,000 for not having his papers. Their car number was radioed to the Dehradun checkpost. They warned to get there in 15 minutes and get back to their barracks. I felt the fine was punishment enough. My opinion always is to give a person the break, when they have realised genuinely that shit has hit the fan. If the matter was reported to the Army, careers would have been severely affected. Drunkenness outside base is a serious offence in the Army. Had a cup of tea with the cops.and rode back home. i did not see a car or any other wreck on the way down. My guess is tails were stuck very firmly between legs on the way down. --- Credit must go to the cops from Mussoorie Police Station at the checkpost, who handled the event in a thorough professional way. Generally I have found the standard of Uttarakhand Police to be a notch higher than other parts of the country. In fact during the Maha Kumbh Mela in 2012, it was UKP which was entrusted with security of the main bathing ghat on the Mauni Amavasya Day and they were very good.
Posted on: Sun, 06 Apr 2014 10:36:21 +0000
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