Ban on sale of army fatigues not enforced in Ludhiana
Even as the sale of the fabric and shoes similar to army fatigues was banned in the district on October 21, the practice continues unabated at all the old city markets, especially near the railway station. “Tailors in the city stitch the entire ‘army uniform’ on order even for civilians. What is guarantee that the fatigues would not be misused? This is now a major headache for authorities,” said a source.
Even as the sale of the fabric and shoes similar to army fatigues was banned in the district on October 21, the practice continues unabated at all the old city markets, especially near the railway station. “Tailors in the city stitch the entire ‘army uniform’ on order even for civilians. What is guarantee that the fatigues would not be misused? This is now a major headache for authorities,” said a source.
Police commissioner Paramraj Singh Umrannagal said, “I will direct officers to check this illegal sale of fabric and even readymade uniforms.”
Colonel Jagdish Singh Brar (retd) said, “The government has not been taking this issue of sale of uniforms to all and sundry seriously across markets. This is now a major cause of concern for intelligence agencies. The police need to issue strict instructions for enforcement of the ban. Tailors should not stitch uniforms without keeping record.”
He added, “In Jammu and Kashmir too, several incidents of terrorists misusing the uniform have been reported for years, especially in Poonch and Rajouri.”
Residents claimed that intelligence agencies needed to keep a tab on shops selling the uniforms and the fabric.