Odd-even formula: AAP hits back after Delhi Police chief's 'vigilantism' warning to its volunteers

Delhi Police chief BS Bassi has warned the Aam Aadmi Party volunteers to keep the idea of Rule of Law and Vigilantism at bay.

New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party has reacted sharply to Delhi Police chief BS Bassi's remarks urging it to rein in its volunteers and warning against vigilantism when the odd-even plan comes into forces from January 1.

"AAP volunteers have helped officials conduct their operations in the past as well. Speaking out on twitter, he is just stoking controversy," AAP's Saurabh Bhardwaj tweeted this morning.

From January 1-15, odd and even numbered cars will be allowed on alternate days in an experiment to reduce pollution levels in Delhi, which have reached critical levels.

Announcing that the Delhi Police would enforce the odd-even formula in the national capital, Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi had yesterday warned the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) volunteers to keep the idea of Rule of Law and Vigilantism at bay.

In a tweet, Bassi said that the Delhi Police would enforce 'odd even' and requested the Delhi Government to ask its volunteers to assist the Delhi Police and 'to act as told'.

"ALL NOTE: Rule of Law & Vigilantism are incompatible," he added.

The Delhi Police Commissioner further added that once volunteers reported to DP, 'they shall be briefed and deployed as per an action plan. No undue harassment of road users is the objective'.

Bassi also added that the Odd-Even enforcement would rest on Delhi Police Traffic unit's 4 guiding pillars namely 'ERER - Education, Regulation, Enforcement and Road Engineering'.

The scheme is being implemented for a period of 15 days from January 1, on trial basis to curb pollution in Delhi.

Violators of the scheme would attract a penalty of Rs. 2,000. VIPs, women drivers, CNG-certified vehicles, two-wheelers and those carrying the differently-abled are among the 25 categories which will be exempted from the scheme.

With ANI inputs