After BBMP Marshals, target set for Bengaluru cops to levy fines for not wearing masks

Bengaluru police should book a minimum of 50 offenders per day in their station limits for not wearing masks. The target has left many police constables furious.

Bengaluru: Police and BBMP Marshals in Bengaluru have been empowered to levy fines on citizens who are not wearing masks or maintaining social distance.

However, a new order to the cops has left them furious. Bengaluru police should book a minimum of 50 offenders per day in their station limits for not wearing masks.

Cops feel that the target is too high and complain that they are forced to charge people who can not afford masks and meet their daily needs.

The cops stated that the target for marshals in the south zone has been reduced to 13 from 20 every day but the police must continue to reach a target of 50 offenders.

A few weeks ago, BBMP officials were not happy with the 20 offenders target order. A senior official had stated that setting such targets was highly unrealistic. “It is a double whammy for the marshals, who are also facing a lot of public ire. The setting of targets will also create ill-will among the citizens,” the official said.

Earlier it was just BBMP marshals who were fining those who were not wearing masks in public places, now cops too have been authorised to do so.