Navi Mumbai cars caught running with fake 'press', 'police' stickers
Private vehicles ferrying bar dancers in Navi Mumbai are slapping on fake press and police stickers to dodge police checks
In Navi Mumbai city, especially in the Koparkhairane area, the number of people misusing fake 'press' (journalist) and 'police' stickers has suddenly gone up. Private cars used to pick up and drop bar dancers to and from bars are openly running around the city with 'press' or 'police' written on them. This startling reality has now come to light.
A few days ago, a similar case was caught near the Ranjandevi temple in Koparkhairane village. A Maruti Eeco car, registration number MH 46 N 5612, was seen with 'press' clearly written on its rear windscreen. This same car was being used to ferry bar dancers to and fro. Besides the Eeco, vehicles such as the Tata Sumo, Qualis and Santro are also reportedly being used to transport bar dancers in the same manner.
The 'press' or 'police' stickers are stuck on these vehicles to avoid police checks at night or at checkpoints. This lets such vehicles pass through checkpoints without being stopped, an advantage that the drivers and bar owners are exploiting.
The most serious aspect to emerge is that editors of some 'weekly' newspapers that exist only in name are directly issuing official press identity cards to these drivers for sums ranging from just 500 to 10,000 rupees. These identity cards are then flashed to pressure police at checkpoints.
Journalism is regarded as the fourth pillar of democracy. But the misuse of the word 'press' and press stickers for such wrongful and illegal activities is damaging the image of genuine, honest journalists. Such suspicious vehicles parked in village lanes, temple premises and residential areas are also creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion among local residents.
Navi Mumbai residents are angrily asking who will take responsibility if such vehicles are involved in an unfortunate or serious criminal incident in future. Strict action is being demanded from the RTO and Navi Mumbai police. The episode has brought into the open the proliferation of fake journalists in Navi Mumbai and the racket they are running.
There are demands for immediate seizure of vehicles found illegally displaying 'press' or 'police' on their windscreens and of vehicles running pickup-drop services in violation of rules. There are also demands that Navi Mumbai police investigate and register cases against the editors of such weekly newspapers who are handing out unofficial identity cards for money. The whole city is watching to see what action the Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate takes against such vehicles with fake stickers and the illegal activities running under their cover.
