Jamshedpur, July 24: Drivers and riders of two-wheelers of the steel city are now an irked lot because of the number-plate checking drive being conducted by police.

Many of them allege that while their vehicles go through “strict” checks, four-wheelers with “fancy” number plates are being “overlooked” and let off by the police.

Despite allegations of disparity, East Singhbhum superintendent of police Naveen Kumar Singh, in the defence of the force, maintain that a similar drive would be started four-wheelers — only after the drive against two-wheelers is finally over.

Singh explained that the force has been focusing on two-wheelers because there are “greater number” of offences listed against two-wheelers, than there are against the chances of four-wheelers. using such vehicle in committing crime are much less than two-wheelers.

“Owners of four-wheelers, especially SUVs with different number-plates, stand less chance of getting away after a road mishap,” he said. 

The reason for phasing out the drive was also to lessen the chances of traffic jams in the city. “If the drives were simultaneous there would be invariable crowding,” Singh said.

“The drive would go out of hand and chances of corruption could be higher. If we focus on one type of vehicle at a time, the checking would be fairer,” promised the police chief, while talking to reporters today.

However, despite the officer’s assurance, allegations of “corrupt” officers and constables exploiting the drive are rife in the steel city.

Today, one Manish Kumar Gupta, who was waiting for the green signal at N Road was asked to cough up Rs 100 as penalty. When Manish pointed out that his number plate followed the district traffic department directive, the constable pointed to the Lord Ganesh sticker on the plate. The 25-year-old had no option but to pay the penalty.