12 Kolkata: CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday urged policemen not to cause inconvenience to people in the pretext of regulating VIP movements.
"I do not like this, and I am fed up with telling the policemen. In order to let a VIP pass, you are leaving other people stranded in traffic for hours. These people also have work to attend. I do not feel the need for green corridors," said Banerjee, addressing a medical conclave in Dhono Dhanyo auditorium.
The CM also urged the senior cops (DGP Rajeev Kumar and Kolkata CP Manoj Varma, who were on the dais) for proper training to civic volunteers so that they can function like home guards. According to the CM, the civic volunteers "are neither here nor there".
"They do not know what they are supposed to do. When I go out on major thoroughfares, I never tell the cops to give me priority passage. I better stand in the traffic snarl. If people can get stranded, why can't I?" asked the CM, referring to the fact that she was aware that there were some leaders who love to instruct cops for this priority treatment.
The CM said that the stress should only be on safe drive to save life and precautions should be taken at important crossings to avoid accidents. She also urged the MPs and the MLAs to utilise their area development funds to construct watchtowers, install music system at signals, build sitting places for students near their schools — initiatives she took up when she was an MP.