Public transport impounded

Published August 16, 2005

GUJRANWALA, Aug 15: Traffic police on Monday impounded about 200 public vehicles for transporting election material and staff to polling stations, causing a great deal of inconvenience to people.

Reports said the police had set up pickets at Rawalpindi, Khiali and Chand Da Qila by-pass intersections, Sheikhupura Road Morr, Gondlanwala chowk and took into custody wagons and buses which were plying on local routes. Passengers, including women and children, were thrown out on the road and they had to wait for hours to find some alternative means. Taking advantage of the situation, they complained that motorcycle-rickshaws and tongas were overcharging.

The passengers demanded that the government should arrange vehicles from its departments instead of seizing the public transport.

SIALKOT: The district administration and traffic police on Monday impounded scores of vehicles in Sialkot and Narowal districts for local body elections scheduled to be held on Aug 18.

Reports said a number of passengers were seen standing at bus stands in Sialkot, Daska, Bhopalwala, Sambrial, Uggoki, Pasrur, Badiana, Chawinda, Satrah, Shakargarh, Zafarwal, Noorkot, Kot Nainaan, Narowal and other surrounding rural areas in hot and humid weather owing to non-availability of transport.

Commuters have criticized the district administration for impounding the public transport and chanted anti-government slogans. They alleged that drivers of motorcycle-rickshaws, tractor-trolleys and trucks were ‘loading’ the people like animals and charging Rs60 to Rs100 per passenger.

Meanwhile, the district officials said the situation would persist till Aug 20 after the LG polls.

SARGODHA: Police on Monday impounded scores of public vehicles for election duty and did not allow drivers to drop passengers at their destinations.

One Muhammad Feroze of Mardwal told the correspondent that he was bringing a truck laden with vegetables on Sunday night. Near Jhal Chakian, the police intercepted him and despite repeated requests did not allow him to drop vegetables at Sargodha market.

Similarly, Muhammad Khan said he was coming to Sargodha with his family when the Bhalwal police impounded the vehicle, ordered all passengers to vacate it and humiliated some of them on resistance.

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