Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): In the wake of a high-profile highway controversy, the Punjab Police has released updated instructions for personnel assigned to VIP protection duties, emphasizing professional conduct, public safety, and adherence to traffic rules.
The move follows an incident on the Zirakpur-Ambala stretch involving Lt Gen D.S. Hooda (Retd), former Northern Army Commander, who alleged that a Punjab Police escort vehicle intentionally collided with his car while escorting a VIP convoy. According to Lt Gen Hooda, the event occurred around 4 pm as he was driving with his wife. Two police jeeps from the convoy approached with sirens on, and while he slowed to allow the lead vehicle to pass, the rear escort vehicle reportedly became impatient due to a brief delay caused by traffic.
The incident has drawn criticism over the reckless driving and misuse of authority by security convoys, prompting the police to reinforce professional standards for all escort operations.
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav stated that VIP protection demands discipline, patience, and courtesy, and officers must ensure public trust is never compromised. “Protecting VIPs is important, but so is maintaining public confidence and safety on the roads,” he said.
The instructions issued include:
- Compliance with all traffic rules during non-emergency movements.
- Ensuring minimal disruption to regular traffic while facilitating convoy movement.
- Professional and courteous behavior at all times, exercising restraint under all circumstances.
- Immediate reporting of any incidents by the escort in-charge.
- Mandatory district-level briefings within 48 hours for escort, pilot, and traffic personnel to reinforce professionalism and courteous conduct.
Authorities emphasized that these measures aim to strike a balance between VIP security and citizen safety, ensuring that convoy operations remain lawful and respectful.
The Zirakpur episode has intensified calls for reviewing VIP escort protocols, highlighting the importance of accountability and measured conduct while performing security duties.
