Reaction: Goods transporters protest high fuel prices, police attitude
Say police fine them without reason, demand govt reduce fuel prices.
BAHAWALPUR:
Members of Goods Transporters Association, Rahim Yar Khan, staged a protest on Tuesday against the government for planning to increase prices of petroleum yet again. They also protested against the Motorway Police for their ‘non cooperative attitude’.
Hundreds of transporters and drivers parked the trailer trucks on the National Highway near Goth Machi and blocked it for more than four hours. They also observed a shutter down strike and ordered shopkeepers to close down every shop in the area.
The protesters dispersed after police intervened and invited senior association leaders for a meeting.
A few hours later, a meeting was held between the Goods Transporter Association (GTA) officials and Sadiqabad Circle ASP Tanveer Hussain Tunio and Rahim Yar Khan Deputy Superintendent of Police Mehmoodul Hassan.
The officers assured the association members that they will investigate the complaints against the policemen.
The protest started at around 9am when the association members blocked the National Highway near Machi Ghot.
GTA Tehsil President Chaudhry Muhammad Arshad Waraich led the protest.
Talking to The Express Tribune, he said the association would not accept further increase in fuel prices.
He also said in addition to this, the Motorway Police’s behaviour with the drivers and the association members was not good.
“As long as our vehicles are in Sindh, no one asks any questions. As soon as we enter the Punjab, the police start imposing fines at almost every toll plaza. They impound the vehicles for days if we resist,” he said.
He said if the situation did not improve, the association would call for a country-wide protest. He also demanded that the government cut prices of petroleum products.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2012.
Members of Goods Transporters Association, Rahim Yar Khan, staged a protest on Tuesday against the government for planning to increase prices of petroleum yet again. They also protested against the Motorway Police for their ‘non cooperative attitude’.
Hundreds of transporters and drivers parked the trailer trucks on the National Highway near Goth Machi and blocked it for more than four hours. They also observed a shutter down strike and ordered shopkeepers to close down every shop in the area.
The protesters dispersed after police intervened and invited senior association leaders for a meeting.
A few hours later, a meeting was held between the Goods Transporter Association (GTA) officials and Sadiqabad Circle ASP Tanveer Hussain Tunio and Rahim Yar Khan Deputy Superintendent of Police Mehmoodul Hassan.
The officers assured the association members that they will investigate the complaints against the policemen.
The protest started at around 9am when the association members blocked the National Highway near Machi Ghot.
GTA Tehsil President Chaudhry Muhammad Arshad Waraich led the protest.
Talking to The Express Tribune, he said the association would not accept further increase in fuel prices.
He also said in addition to this, the Motorway Police’s behaviour with the drivers and the association members was not good.
“As long as our vehicles are in Sindh, no one asks any questions. As soon as we enter the Punjab, the police start imposing fines at almost every toll plaza. They impound the vehicles for days if we resist,” he said.
He said if the situation did not improve, the association would call for a country-wide protest. He also demanded that the government cut prices of petroleum products.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2012.