Cops caution against misuse of Army, police fatigues, stickers

After a war-like situation between India and Pakistan, taking preventing measures to prevent anti-national elements from making any attempt to disturb peace, the Ludhiana Police Commissionerate on Monday issued orders cautioning shopkeepers selling Army fatigues and use of logos of the Army and the police on private vehicles.

A few days ago, the Ludhiana police have nabbed a person who was posing as a policeman and used to roam in a police vehicle. Though the suspect had only a penchant for khakhi and had no ill-motive but such persons might become a threat for society.

The orders issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Headquarters, Snehdeep Sharma, states that it had come to the notice of this office that uniforms of the Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards, paramilitary forces and the Indian Army were kept for sale by shopkeepers, located in the jurisdiction of the Police Commissionerate. While selling these uniform/goods, no record of the buyer is kept by the shopkeepers concerned, due to which sometimes, anti-social elements illegally use the uniforms of paramilitary forces and commit untoward incidents. There is a need to take special steps in public interest and for the protection of lives and property of the public to prevent misuse of paramilitary forces’ uniforms by any miscreants.

“While exercising powers conferred under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Protection Code, 2023, issue the following order that whenever a person comes to a shopkeeper for purchase of any uniform/equipment, details of the goods sold to buyers should be entered in a register. Information about the mobile number and residential address and permanent address of the person making the purchase should also be entered in the register. Credentials such as photograph and ID proof should be kept in record. Every shopkeeper shall be responsible for sending information to the police station concerned every month regarding the sale of uniforms/equipment of paramilitary forces. Every shopkeeper shall prepare a monthly return for purchase and sale of the uniform/equipment. This order will come into effect immediately and will remain in force for two months from the date of issue”.

Another order issued by the DCP states: “It has come to my notice that the people put logos or stickers of the police, Army, VIP on their private vehicles. The use of any department name and logo is an unusually serious matter considering recent terrorist incidents.” Therefore, he banned the misuse of stickers of the police, Army, etc, on private vehicles. The order will remain in force for two months.

Notably, the DCP also issued other orders, including a ban on the sale of acid to unidentified persons, mandatory keeping records of sale, purchase of old mobile phones, verification of tenants, registration of people living in a hotel, PGs, etc.

Ludhiana