'Don't Use Mobile Phone While Drinking': JK Police Gaffe Prompts Social Media Flak

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Police is facing music of social media users after a signboard on the historic Mughal Road by its traffic department appeared to be promoting ‘drinking’, ‘driving’ and using mobile phone, all at once.

“DON’T USE MOBILE. PHONE WHILE DRINKING,” the ambivalent message written in white on the signature red and blue background colour combination on J&K Police’s signboards, said.

A photo from the site on Mughal Road in south Kashmir, where the signboard has been installed, went viral on various platforms, prompting the social media users to crack jokes that are clearly on the police force.

Some users pointed out that it was a human error and should be taken lightly, “Boss, human error. Much bigger mistakes are noticed in urdu sign boards in hindi speaking areas (sic),” Dr GN Qasba, a former commissioner of Srinagar Municipal Corporation wrote on Twitter.

“See the spot, u will understand the logic,” Bashir Manzar, editor and owner of English daily Kashmir Images, posted on Twitter.

Mohan Lal Kaith, SP Traffic (Rural) Jammu, said the department had installed signboard all the way from Lakhanpur to Pir Ki Gali with the message: “DON’T USE MOBILE PHONE WHILE DRIVING.”

“Some miscreants replaced the word ‘Driving’ with ‘Drinking’. I have got the signboard removed and an inquiry has been ordered which will be carried out by DSP (Traffic) Poonch within two days to identify the culprits,” the SP said.

However, it hasn’t stopped the social media users from poking fun at the police department over its recklessness, “It appears the police is promoting drinking, driving and using mobile phone, all at once. This is called impunity,” Amjad Nabi, a law student wrote on Facebook.

“Looks like both the painter as well as the person who erected this board were drunk. I am sure it has a deeper meaning,” Mufti Wajid, a graphic artist, posted on Twitter.

“Someone please ask @JmuKmrPolice and possibly someone who’s not drunk to share details about this recklessness. Kindly reply when you are neither drunk not driving,” Shazia Ahad, a Kashmir University student, tweeted.