Police issue 21 challans, to register cases from today

Many women cover their faces while riding two-wheelers to avoid sun and pollution. Similarly, many Sikh men cover their faces while driving to protect the beard. Sharuti Sharma, who was stopped at Hall Bazar entrance by the policemen and asked to remove her scarf, said: “It makes no sense. Amritsar is one of the most polluted cities of the country. This pollution creates lots of skin and asthma problems. Sun is also not kind in summers. All women take protection from pollution and it should not be looked as a crime.”

Sandeep Singh, a turbaned youth, said: “If you go logically, this rule will only affect the Sikh youth who wear turban. Otherwise it is a violation of traffic rules to drive a bike without helmets. So it means that the police are profiling Sikh youths as suspects. The police should improve their efficiency in arresting the criminals than making such rules.”

DCP Amrik Singh said: “We have imposed the ban to stop crime. Covering face with clothes is the most common modus operandi to commit crimes. We understand that pollution is a problem but we will deal genuinely if anyone has health problems. Otherwise we will impose the ban strictly and will also register cases from tomorrow.”

NGO SWEG (Society for Women Empowerment and Greencause) founder chairperson Navjot Kaur Chabba said: “First, the government should provide people pollution-free roads. Forget about pollution, the local body makes no attempt to spray on mosquitoes that create distraction while driving, especially during the evening. It is true that the Sikh youth will become the target of this ban.”