SHILLONG:
In a move to enforce anti-vehicle modification laws, the Shillong Traffic Police (STP) destroyed 181 seized modified silencers at the police reserve in Shillong on December 13.
The crushing process was carried out using a road roller and involved the active participation of Superintendent of Police (SP) Sylvester Nongtnger, Vivek Syiem, SP City, DSP G Marngar and other senior officers.
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SP Nongtnger addressed the press, shedding light on the ongoing efforts to crack down on modified silencers. He revealed that the STP has been diligently working since last year and intensified their operations from January this year. Out of 320 detected cases, 181 modified silencers were seized. Initial attempts involved requesting owners to remove the modifications voluntarily, but subsequent checks revealed a resurgence of the illegal alterations.
The confiscated silencers, representing a menace to public peace and safety, were crushed to demonstrate the authorities’ commitment to eradicating such unauthorized modifications. SP Nongtnger assured continued vigilance, with the STP persistently working to detect and seize any modified silencers not authorized by law.
The monetary implications for violators were also disclosed, with fines totaling Rs.12,46,500 collected this year alone.
‘These fines have been duly deposited in the government checker, the state treasury,’ DSP G Marngar said.
SP Nongtnger hinted at future operations and expressed a commitment to keeping the public informed about their ongoing efforts.
Notably, the STP’s operations extend beyond silencers, encompassing both two-wheelers and four-wheelers. The penalty for modified filters is set at ₹5,000 per alteration, following the Motor Vehicle Rules (MVR) guidelines.
Responding to queries about the destruction method, SP Nongtnger clarified that the decision to crush rather than sell to scrap was intentional. ‘However scapping can be practiced in the future’, he stated. He conveyed a clear message that modifying vehicles, be it with silencers or tinted glass, is strictly prohibited. The act of crushing aimed to unequivocally demonstrate the authorities’ resolve against unauthorized modifications, dispelling any notions of potential resale.
SP Syiem acknowledged the public outcry against modified exhaust pipes, emphasizing the social nuisance caused by excessive noise. He thanked the public for their active role in reporting violations, which enabled the police to seize such vehicles. The crackdown on modified silencers is part of broader initiatives, including checkpoints set up at night to curb drunken driving, especially among young people.
Syiem further urged parents and guardians not to provide two-wheelers to individuals without licenses and emphasized the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol.
‘Some people violate no entry and we have seen many a times that there have been fatal accidents and loss of lives so STP is on the job to actually ensure that there’s no rash negligent driving so that lives are saved,’ he added.
He cocluded by stating that the STP remains committed to ensuring road safety, reducing accidents, and addressing various violations to maintain public order and safety.