[Reader-list] News Items posted on the net on Multipurpose National Identity Cards-74

[Taha Mehmood]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Delhi/No_harassment_in_the_name_of_identity_proof_Delhi_Police/articleshow/2679098.cms

The Times of India
Delhi 	

No harassment in the name of identity proof: Delhi Police
6 Jan 2008, 2101 hrs IST, PTI

NEW DELHI: With the Lieutenant Governor's announcement of making photo
identity cards compulsory receiving flak from various quarters, Delhi
Police on Sunday tried to allay fears of the citizens by saying that
they would not be harassed in the name of mandatory checking but only
suspicious persons would be checked.

"There is no case for any apprehension. It is not that whenever a
policeman sees a man, he would ask for the ID card. Only suspicious
people will be asked to produce ID cards and we will ensure that
nobody is harassed," Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said.

He said the police will come out with a newspaper advertisement on
January 10 giving details about the proposal announced by Lt. Governor
Tejinder Khanna last Friday.

Citing increasing terror incidents and other security concerns, Khanna
had announced that everyone in the NCR will have to carry a photo ID
card from January 15 and be ready for a random checking by police.

Bhagat said, people can use PAN cards, passports, ration cards,
college ID cards or documents issued by private organisations as
identity proofs.

"We appeal to the people to carry their ID cards with them which can
help in verifying their identity. There will be random checking, but
it will not be done in a manner that leads to harassment," he said.

As the move was criticised by political parties, the Lt. Governor's
office issued a clarification last night, saying people who are going
for their routine work would not be harassed.