In Jammu, a 45-year-old IPS officer has become a rage. From schools to colleges, wedding ceremonies to cremation grounds and from whatsapp to facebook, these days people are only talking about who is promoted and posted as Inspector General of Police (Traffic) Jammu and Kashmir, over a fortnight back due to his 'self style working.'

Basant Kumar Rath, the 2000 batch IPS officer of J&K cadre belongs to Odisha and now has become hero for people of Jammu, due to his relentless work ethic, honest approach, dedicated efforts and a lively style of working.

Rath joined as IGP Traffic (Traffic wing chief of J&K state) a fortnight back, and since then he is seen in black track pants, black t-shirt and black jacket with black shoes.

The sporty looking officer is also very flamboyant in his style. He drinks water from public taps outside any religious place, he exercises on the roadside and is seen distributing chocolates to the kids.

On the work front, he is doing equally well. He is a one man army, leading thousands of men in blue (traffic cops).

He is setting example too as he fights corruption on the road. After assuming charge as state's Traffic chief on Feb 09, 2018, Basant challaned an Audi Car belonging to the IGP's son and also seized the same. He has imposed fine on many bureaucrats and police officers to teach them lessons that rules are for everyone.

Other than this, Basant is using social media to address issues of those whom he cannot meet in person. People can mail him, post their comments on Facebook or tweet him on twitter about their concerns and suggestions.

Rath writes on his Facebook: "My name is Basant and I do what I do".

With his actions and wonderful duty, Basant has becomes hero for lacs of people of Jammu irrespective of age, caste, creed or religion and even political thoughts too. His followers on social media site increasing by the day and wherever he is seen performing duties in black dress, people shoot his pics and video clips and upload on social media. People raised slogans in his favour at many places.

The IPS Basant Rath, however has changed the basic traffic system in Jammu, now gone are the days of traffic jamming, overloading in public transport, violation by bikers, no jumping of traffic lights by cars, no extra charging by auto-rickshaws and moreover there is decrease in road accidents in Jammu City and traffic playing smoothly on roads. Sources also said that the corruption in traffic police downsizes by huge number.

But there is a particular lobby in police department and also in bureaucracy, which is not supporting Basant's style of working.

Director General of Police (DGP) Dr SP Vaid on 22 Feb, has cautioned IGP Traffic that "action under law" would be initiated if he will not desist from violating the service conduct rules on the streets.

"A number of videos, posts and pictures are being circulated on social media, in which the IGP is seen moving in civvies on the roads, doing strange activities unwarranted of a police officer," the letter said.

Other videos uploaded by some commuters allege manhandling, using of abusive language and damage to their property like cell phones, helmets, spectacles and vehicles.

The official letter said that it is utter violation of All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, Rule 3 Section 1(vi), Rule 3 Section 2A and Rule 3 Section 2B (x)," the letter reads further.

The J&K Motor Vehicle Act 1988 clearly states that no officer shall do any checking of any vehicle without proper uniform.

The police chief also said that he shall always remain in proper uniform while discharging official duties as mandated in law and Police Rules.

But there is no change in the style of Basant Rath after the letter and he is seen in similar passion of work and attired in black dress and roaming in white coloured Toyota Fortuner Car.