Caption: Police officers addressing PMV bus operators in the National Capital District. – Picture supplied
SOME PMV bus operators in the National Capital District on Monday decided to call off their services about an incident that happened on Saturday, February 17 in the Manu area where a bus driver was allegedly shot by the police.
The crews, drivers and the owners drove to Unagi Oval at Gordon’s who then spoke to the National Capital District Metropolitan Superintendent Silva Sika, the three Zone Commanders and the other senior police officers of NCD.
They raised concerns that they had been victims of the police in many ways which they want the police management to address once and for all.
Metsupt Sika in response had confirmed to those who gathered at Unagi that police investigation into the shooting had begun with police officers visiting the crime scene and collecting witness statements to carry out their investigation. He said the police will need witnesses to come forward to help police in the investigation by providing accurate information to help in the investigation.
He said many times taxi and bus drivers, crews and owners make allegations against the police with no hard evidence that will help the police Internal Investigation Unit to hold those responsible officers accountable for their actions. He said they make noise on social media or other media platforms or even in public gatherings but they don’t present documented evidence to help police investigators.
He also called on the bus drivers and crews to resume normal because their actions will affect the public and they will also make a loss for the day if they do not do business. He said the gathering there is illegal because there was no proper consultation with him or the NCDC authorities responsible for the city’s PMV operators.
He said he was informed of their gathering at the field so he had to call in to hear their grievances and assured them that police were investigating the matter. He said the other concerns raised by the bus crews about them being harassed must be documented and presented to his office for investigation.
Metsupt Sika said when police officers bus crews and drivers compromise on the streets and money is exchanged for their wrongdoings the problem will continue. He said the complaints raised against the police should be documented and presented to him with evidence for investigation.
PMV owners who were there also raised concerns about the actions of the police officers who had been stopping buses at odd locations and keys were removed without charging the drivers but later asked for money to release the keys.
Also, in response to that Metsupt Sika told them all to document the evidence and lay a formal complaint for police to investigate the matter.
