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Goa Governor S. C Jamir on Thursday 4th November assured a 17-member delegation of the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) led by its Convenor Premanand A. Lotlikar that he would direct the police to immediately stop harassment of two-wheeler riders. Governor Jamir also assured the delegation that called on him at Raj Bhavan that he would request the high level committee appointed by the Government under the Chairmanship of Transport Minister Pandurang Madkaikar to expedite its study and findings on the helmet issue. The delegation lamented that the helmet issue has been haunting two-wheeler riders in Goa for over two decades and told the Governor that the current helmet drive has nothing to do with road safety but was a ploy by certain vested interests in connivance with the helmet manufacturer's lobby. The delegation strongly protested that inspite of the Goa Legislative assembly on July 29th 2004 having unanimously decided to set up a committee to study the helmet issue, the police were in breach and contempt of the Goa Legislative Assembly by starting with the helmet drive. The delegation told the Governor that the Transport department was rightly not enforcing the rule in keeping with the decision of the Legislative Assembly to set up a committee to study the issue but it was only the police who for reasons best known to them have shown rare enthusiasm in enforcing the helmet law. The delegation further informed the Governor that though Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Transport Minister Pandurang Madkaikar were sympathetic to the practical difficulties being faced by two wheeler riders as regards to helmets it was certain vested interests that were misguiding the authorities. The delegation urged Governor Jamir to direct the Goa police to immediately stop harassing two-wheeler riders on village roads and state highways and as to National Highways to wait for the outcome of the high level committee headed by Transport Minister Pandurang Madkaikar which has been recently constituted by the Government to study the helmet issue. The delegation complained to the Governor that though the Government claims that it does not have enough police force to maintain law and order the policemen were out in full strength to challan and harass two-wheeler riders across Goa. Governor Jamir was told that if the authorities start a sincere crackdown on reckless, negligent and drunken driving the alarming rate of accidents will see a steep dive and that this has to be coupled with improving the conditions of our roads and by also curbing the rampant corruption in the Police and transport departments. Aires Rodrigues Ribandar
