Requisition of vehicles by police

AROUND 300 vehicles reportedly are requisitioned by police on a daily basis. What a staggering figure Why are such a large number of private vehicles taken away from the streets by police The police personnel are to perform a wide array of responsibilities. So they need adequate transport facilities. But police requisition vehicles from the street and ride them in wanton disregard for the owner's right to use it and his or her convenience. brSuccessive governments have failed to cater to the needs of a basic logistical requirement of the law enforcers. The whole range of law enforcement authorities -- the DMP, RAB, prosecution department, mobile courts under the DC's office and several other government agencies -- all are using requisitioned vehicles.brThe rules are that the transports will have to be returned to the owner within seven days of requisition and that compensation and meal allowance to drivers will have to be given on a daily basis. But these are flouted, aggravating the agonies of the owners and the drivers. Sometimes, on duty, these vehicles were even damaged or burnt with the owners getting no compensation whatsoever.brThe practice has also spawned corruption. The police personnel are so powerful that they even requisition private vehicles for their family use. The high-handed and random nature of requisitioning private vehicles must stop. If the police need to do it, they should do it very selectively and pay adequate compensation to the owners, with costs of repair if any damage is caused.brAhmed AlibrDhanmandi RA, Dhaka