Public outrage erupts after pregnant woman falls during traffic check in Jamshedpur

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Apr 9: A traffic check near Sankatha Singh Petrol Pump on Tatanagar Station Road turned chaotic after a pregnant woman reportedly fell and was injured during an altercation with traffic police on Wednesday. The woman, traveling on a two-wheeler with her husband from Parsudih to Sadar Hospital, lost consciousness and fell when the couple was stopped for inspection.

Local residents and public representatives took to the streets in protest, blocking Station Road and chanting slogans against the traffic police. The blockade caused severe traffic congestion across Bistupur-Burma Mines Road and Golpahari Road.

Witnesses accused the police of harassing commuters under the pretext of routine checks. “Traffic police seem more focused on issuing fines than maintaining smooth traffic,” one local said.

The situation prompted an immediate response from the police department. Officers from Bagbera, Jugsalai and the Traffic Department arrived at the scene to calm the protestors. SSP Kishore Kaushal called the incident “unfortunate” and assured strict action. He ordered an inquiry and instructed traffic personnel not to stop citizens unnecessarily, especially those in emergencies.

MLA demands stern action against traffic police

Jamshedpur, Apr 9: Following the incident involving a pregnant woman near the Sankatha Singh Petrol Pump, Potka MLA Sanjib Sardar has demanded immediate disciplinary action against the responsible traffic police personnel.

Sardar contacted the Traffic DSP, insisting that citizens—especially women, students, the sick and the elderly—should not be harassed during traffic checks. He also questioned why checks are not being conducted in front of CCTV cameras, as per earlier instructions.

Vowing to raise the matter with the SSP and DGP, Sardar said such inhumane behaviour by the police cannot be tolerated. He emphasized that public safety and dignity are his top priorities and urged the administration to put an end to unnecessary harassment in the name of traffic regulation.

AJSU warns of agitation over police misconduct

Jamshedpur, Apr 9: The AJSU Party has condemned the alleged misconduct by Jugsalai traffic police involving a pregnant woman. District President Kanhaiya Singh released a statement likening the police’s actions to that of criminals and announced plans for a phased agitation.

Singh criticized the increasing police harassment in the name of transparency, citing incidents of mistreatment of women, preventing students from reaching exams and obstructing patients in emergencies. AJSU representatives plan to meet with the Traffic DSP and demand a clarification from the district administration. The party has warned of street protests if the traffic system is not reformed.

JDU condemns police misconduct during helmet check, demands probe into maltreatment of pregnant woman

Jamshedpur, April 9: Janata Dal (United) East Singhbhum District Press Spokesperson Akash Shah has strongly condemned an alleged incident of police misconduct during a helmet-checking drive by Jamshedpur Traffic Police in the Baghbera police station area, where a pregnant woman was reportedly mistreated.

In a press statement, Shah called the incident ‘inhumane’ and ‘highly objectionable,’ stating that while the police were responsible for public safety, their recent actions were causing public distress. “In the name of helmet enforcement, the traffic police are treating general people like criminals,” he alleged.

He also pointed out that the earlier directive by the Traffic DSP—to conduct checking only at CCTV-equipped locations—was not being followed in many areas of Jamshedpur, leading to repeated clashes between the public and police personnel. “Today’s incident in Baghbera, where even a pregnant woman became a victim of police excesses, is a disgrace,” he added.

Shah demanded that the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Jamshedpur order an immediate investigation into the matter and take legal action against the guilty officials. He further urged the administration to launch awareness campaigns on the importance of wearing helmets instead of solely relying on punitive measures.

Blackmailing in the name of helmet checking must stop: Anil Modi

Jamshedpur, April 9: BJP East Singhbhum District General Secretary Anil Modi has strongly condemned the alleged harassment of a pregnant woman by traffic police personnel during a helmet checking drive at Station Chowk. Terming the incident inhumane, Modi said that police must act with compassion, especially in sensitive cases involving women.

He stated that while the BJP supports public safety and the enforcement of traffic rules, it denounces the increasing cases of alleged blackmail and extortion by the traffic police under the guise of helmet checking. “Check posts have been established across the city, but even those wearing helmets are stopped and harassed for documents,” he said.

Raising concerns over the city’s law and order, Modi said, “Crimes are happening openly, and the morale of criminals is high, yet the police seem more focused on helmet checks than on catching real offenders. If the same energy was devoted to controlling crime, Jamshedpur would be a safer place.”

He emphasized that riding without a helmet did not make someone a criminal, and traffic personnel must treat citizens with respect. He further demanded that CCTV cameras be installed at all checking points to ensure transparency and accountability—both for the police and the public.

Referring to the spontaneous crowd that gathered after the incident at Station Chowk, Modi said, “This was not a planned protest but an outburst of public anger over police misbehaviour.” He urged the district administration to take lessons from such events and ensure that police behave respectfully with the public, putting an end to intimidation tactics in the name of enforcement.