Traffic warden who took on Rane Jr ousted After 20 Yrs Of Voluntary Service, 55-Yr-Old Loses Job Over ‘Netas’ Complaints’

Mumbai: The traffic police have terminated the services of Bandra-Khar traffic warden Anita Lobo, who had taken on Congress MP Nilesh Rane for blocking traffic in January. 

    Lobo, who has been regulating traffic in Bandra-Khar voluntarily for two decades, said the traffic police's notice states that her services are being discontinued due to complaints from politicians over her alleged misbehaviour. She received the notice 15 days ago. "The notice cites political pressure as the reason for termination of my services. After 20 years of voluntary service, I am now being told that I misbehaved with politicians. Are politicians ruling the police and our country? I don't deserve this. Where is justice in this country," asked Lobo (55). 
    On January 28, TOI carried a report on how Lobo allegedly suffered the wrath of state industries minister Narayan Rane's son for carrying out her duty in Khar (W). Lobo had stopped Nilesh and his convoy for blocking traffic on 20th Road. An argument had ensued between Lobo and Rane Jr and she was reportedly detained at the Khar police station for three hours. Following the incident, support had poured in for Lobo from citizens, who criticized Nilesh's high-handedness. 
    Now, 15 advanced locality managements and residents' associations have decided to meet joint commissioner of police (traffic) Vivek Phansalkar to demand revocation of Lobo's termination. "Lobo was strict but she never distinguished between a celebrity and a common man while doing her duty. Nilesh doesn't represent Bandra-Khar residents," said Bandra activist Shyama Kulkarni. 
    Anil Joseph, chairperson of Perry Road Residents' Association, said, "Lobo's case bears similarity to the recent incident in which a traffic policeman was pulled up for stopping a speeding MLA. The red-beacon culture is rampant in Bandra. Politicians and other powerful personalities move around with their entourage of cars. Their bodyguards often misbehave with traffic policemen and other motorists." 
IN THE LINE OF DUTY 
Anita Lobo, who has been regulating traffic in Bandra-Khar voluntarily for 20 years, had stopped Congress MP Nilesh Rane for blocking traffic on 20th Road in Khar in January 
Following the incident, she was reportedly detained at the Khar police station and told not to regulate traffic on 20th Road 
Now, 15 advanced locality managements and residents' associations have decided to meet joint commissioner of police (traffic) Vivek Phansalkar to demand revocation of Lobo's termination

TOI reports on January 28 & 29