Chennai goes hep and hi-tech in law enforcement
Although this post is really no news to the folks living in Chennai who have known it for more than three weeks now, I still decided to go ahead and write this for the benefit of those who are abroad who may not be aware of the latest developments in Madras. Hyundai, the Chennai-based auto maker in India, has gifted 100 Accents modified as police cars to the city. These are fitted with many of the gizmos found on police cars in other countries and add a touch of sophistication to the existing fleets of police vehicles.
I see them everyday on my way to work and I must say they are elegant and eye-catching in their overall appearance. Of course, we are not going to see an Indian version of “COPS” on our TV channels anytime soon, replete with high-speed police chases and flashing lights, simply because traffic density on Chennai’s roads is so much that no criminal can think of a fast getaway in any vehicle except a “cop”ter, that is, if he or she can afford one :-). Here is a picture of the cars. (image source: IBNlive.com)
Gennai Traffic Police becomes the most efficient bribe collecting force in the country. Each Bribe collector has been given a Hyundai Accent Sedan free for collection. Previously it was difficult to reach the suburban pockets and to harrass motorists there, they enjoyed happiness previously while the motorists in AnnaSalai/MountRoad were the guinea pigs for mamool collection. All of it ends now, with the help of cars B.C’s reach all parts of Gennai easily, with that happiness explodes for Police and Politicians
Free car, Free Gasoline, Higher mamool collection.
Kalakkare chandru!! (Asian paints ad)
This must great news.
Hyundai, the Chennai-based auto maker in India, has gifted 100 Accents modified as police cars to the city.
Am very curious to know about these mods, because the Police Interceptor spec Crown Victorias that Ford supplies to PD’s here in the US are souped up versions. They don’t have “speed governors” (so can go faster than the civilian variants) and have a beefed up suspension and cooling systems to reduce wear and tear.
Of-course top speeds in Chennai are going to be much lesser (though I have a faint idea that we are not thinking about any late night events), which means that this whole deal is merely cosmetic.
Good that you posted this Thennavan. I was planning to if no one else did it. One can only hope that the attitude of the Chennai police will also see a change with their modernisation. Computers and the latest cars wil make no difference if they continue with their same old approach and attitudes to ‘law enforcement’.
Nice to see these as Police cars. Very attractive to look at. I hope the Police force becomes corruption free.
You said the criminals can escape by ‘COP’Ters…no..not…they can easy escape..with “COP”help! We know what’s going on …don’t we??
Yesterday I saw a COP CAR parked bang in a heavily congeted narrow street (Dr. Natesan Salai) for nearly 30-45 mins, because the lonely policeman wanted to buy a nicel chopped mutton prepared by nearby mutton shop. He was giving instructions to our shop owner on how he wants his meat done. And hapless roadusers including buses had to sail through in the narrow space available for them.
I can often notice these cars parked in awkward places, obtructing the traffic.
Ah yes, crime protection –> traffic police were grumbling how their “mamool” life is getting affected because of these cars parked nearby.
and yes, in the next local ody polls, the booth capturers can travel faster in these police cars and thus vote more! This time, they used only polce’s wireless, next time they can use their modern cars too…
am yet to see a single patrol car on the National highways! Ofcourse, they are busy raiding Hotel Bars and harassing hapless young ladies and lecturing them about the bad effects of smoke in the hotel room, and happily puff after the stress of lecture.
The last time they had Maruti Gypsies,…where are all of them now? I used to see shirtless policemen sitting in the back of the van reading newspaper near alcohol shops.
I bet in a 2-3 years these cars will end up in the used metals shop.
Just a bit of air-con for a few lucky policemen; that’s it, and nothing more.
What’s next you ask? e-mamool! Well, that’s the logical next step for a hi-tech force.
To: username@mail.com
From: policekaaran@streetcorner.com
Sub: Mamool Baaki
Dear Sir,
It’s my duty to inform you that you have not paid your weekly mamool…
i am told that for some reason many of these cars have been grounded. i did see one car yesterday in triplicane, and it’s a sight. i can tell u that. cant for the life of me remember why most the fleet has been grounded though.
Are the vehicles geared or auto ?
Are there competent police drivers ?
Good cars they are, I think there should be an encounter reveloution in Chennai clean up areas like Sowcarpet which are crime infected and full of dirty people.
A_C, LOL at the “Kalakkare chandru!!” part :-).
Anantha, I am not aware of the specs but I am sure these will be souped up ones too with many of the features included even though they may all not be required given the situation here. In any case, ours being a society of class hierarchy, these cars will also want to be seen as belonging to the upper crust compared to their simpler consumer versions :-).
David, I think Chennai is changing for the better in law enforcement practices and I may not be surprised if the quest for modernity even in that area takes us into an era of glass and chrome structures (like any corporate office) for police stations with fully airconditioned offices and computerized operations :-).
Ji, neenga ninaikkara maadhiri illai. Kettavanga kitte niraiyaa paNam irukkaranaale avangaLaala chopper service-aiye vechchukka mudiyum :-).
Bejharboy, that is interesting. That is an angle I never thought of :-).
Surya, 2 to 3 years is being a little too uncharitable. Come on, the company may feel upset about such a perception among the public :-).
Navneeth, you sure have a fertile imagination :-).
Nandhu, if so that is news and not a good one at that. Or is it? :-)
Lollu, I have no clue. Why don’t you check out and let us know? We will be glad to know it too :-).
SJ, there you go again with your typical targets for bashing. Give them a break, will ya? :-)
Thennavan who should I give a break who am I bashing I don’t follow what you are saying.
Already these police suckesr are having good time in goin in Bullet for collection now another hitech machine added for them to get collections in more than one place a day…they are such a nast criminals who can godown to beg even beggers dudes.. Even if you give then hitech jets they will have links around the globe for collection making other country police the same way these are…
Already these police are having good time in goin in Bullet for collection now another hitech machine added for them to get collections in more than one place a day…they are such a nasty criminals who can godown to beg even beggers. Any hitech machine is not going to change them..or are these machines given as a bribe for something else by hyundai….?