Requisition of private vehicles

Although the police have been given the authority to requisition vehicles, it is the irresponsible application of this authority and indiscreet and injudicious use of the rules that cause grievances in the public mind.

We would like to think that the Vehicle Requisition Act has been made keeping certain expedient and emergency situations in mind. The ordinance does not provide for, or at least it is not the spirit of the ordinance, to commandeer civilian transport in an indiscriminate and random manner, as is being done at present.

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Report appearing in the press regarding the requisition of vehicles of a Japanese company in Dhaka suggests that there was no emergency situation that necessitated its requisition in the first place. In fact the report reveals that the said vehicle as well as being used to carry some government functionaries and TV crew was utilised to run private errands for the police sergeant.

A common complaint of those that have suffered the agony of having his or her car requisitioned by the police is that the vehicles are kept longer than it is requisitioned for, that the drivers are kept unfed and uncared for, something that the rule enjoins the police to ensure, and that proper compensation is not given to the vehicle owners for use of their vehicles, something that is their due.

The police must realise that their reckless action in respect of vehicle requisition, instead of accomplishing any national good adds to the national burden. Individuals, companies, both national and multinational have to bear the tremendous burden, which such wanton requisition causes, something that the police would do well to bear in mind.

We feel that requisition of vehicles by the police should be an exception rather than the norm and that even the minimal need to requisition private transports be obviated by building up a police fleet.