A video of an ambulance caught in a traffic jam in Chennai has been doing the rounds on the internet.
It has been alleged that the ambulance and other commuters were stopped by Chennai Police to allow a VIP convoy to pass. It is being believed that it was the convoy of Tamil Nadu CM, E Palaniswami.
#WATCH An ambulance and commuters were stopped by Chennai Police near Island Grounds intersection to allow VIP convoy to pass, today. #Chennai pic.twitter.com/0gdvHOhrFX
— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2020
After the video went viral, people criticised the Chennai Police for promoting VIP culture.
Commuters are ok but why stopping ambulance ?
— vishal biradar (@VishalB999) April 27, 2020
I took this visual my self sir. I saw patients inside both the ambulance. After announcement came in police walkie talkie that CM convoy left, ambulance, press vehicles and other essential vehicles were allowed to pass through.
— Ronald (@ronaldchennai) April 27, 2020
These types of protocols shall be minimised in this time of pandemic and ambulances shall never be stopped at thi first place
— Saurabh Bara (@100rabh_12) April 27, 2020
However, these allegations have been refuted by the Chennai police. They said that it was a regular check during lockdown and there was no patient in the ambulance.
Speaking to NDTV, a senior officer said:
The CM has always instructed never to stop traffic even during normal times. So there is no need to stop now. There were vehicle checks every where to stop violations. At one spot, an ambulance was stopped for a minute and there was no patient in that.
While it is still not clear what the truth is, an ambulance should always be given priority over other vehicles, no matter what.
