Taking to streets: 10 rickshaw drivers arrested for protesting against fines

Say most traffic wardens issue unjust fines ‘to achieve targets’ .

BAHALWALPUR: As many as 10 rickshaw drivers were arrested and cases were registered against them on Sunday after they refused to end a protest against traffic police.

The Rickshaw Union president was also arrested.

The protesting rickshaw drivers had blocked Shahi Road in Rahim Yar Khan by burning tyres. They chanted slogans accusing the police of misusing their powers and issuing unjust fines to “complete their monthly targets”.



A police team had earlier visited the scene to negotiate with the protesters. After they refused to stop their protest and allegedly started abusing the officials, some of them were arrested.

Division-A Station House Officer Farrukh Javed said that Motor Rickshaw Union president Amanat Ali had led the protest. He said the deputy superintendent of police had directed him (SHO Javed) to visit the scene and settle the issue.

However, he said, when the protesters resorted to abusive language, 10 of them were arrested.

The SHO said those arrested would be presented before a magistrate on Monday (today).



He said the DSP had also directed him to register cases against the protesters.

Earlier, addressing the protesters, the union president had said that the rickshaw drivers’ earnings had been affected due to non-availability of CNG and increase in fuel prices. He said half of what they earned was being taken away as fines. He claimed that more than half of these fines were imposed illegally.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20^th, 2013.