ISLAMABAD, Nov 2: Adversity is seen as opportunity by some and for the corrupt in the city police the present atmosphere heavy with fear is nothing more. It is time for them to harass innocent people at barriers raised to make the city safe against terrorists.

Citizens are found complaining that they face police harassment at recreational spots. There is a set pattern of targeting the most vulnerable and invading the privacy of young couples visiting such places as if police had become a moral force, or a vigilante group.

Places like the Hot Spot ice-cream parlour in a secluded area of Sector F-6/3, the Jungle Spot near Islamabad Zoo and the viewpoints on the winding road going up to Daman-i-Koh and beyond are said to be the frequented haunts of the vigilante group.

Two nights ago, Awais Khan and his wife drove to Hot Spot in F-6/3 near the famous ‘haunted hill’ for ice cream. They had just parked and were deciding whether to go for coffee or ice cream when a police constable suddenly appeared from the dark and approached the driver’s side.

“The window was rolled down. He stuck half his body inside, gawking at my wife. Reaching for the keys he ordered me to step out,” recalled Awais Khan. Awais objected to his rudeness and took the keys out first.

“This probably vexed the constable. He became loud and told us we were parked in proximity to (hotelier) Hashwani’s house on the hillock, when we were actually parked in the space meant for the ice cream parlour. He threatened if I didn’t obey he’d call the entire corps,” Awais said.

“It was very humiliating. There were two more cars parked next to ours with their drivers who came out to inquire.”

When Awais told the constable to summon whomever he liked, he came to a boil with rage. He took his cellphone and supposedly called his superior. “The constable said he was Israr when he spoke over the phone and slowly backed away. We watched him disappear into the dark just the way he had startled us,” Awais recalled. “We were parked there for nearly an hour but he did not return. Probably he just wanted to extort money.”

What Awais Khan and his wife experienced was not an isolated incident. Some three weeks ago an ‘A’ level student, Zohaib, who was giving a treat to his friends Sadaf, Murtaza and Erum, were also subjected to similar discourteous behaviour and verbal taunt.

“It was past 9 when two policemen approached our bench and accused us of some sort of indecent exposure earlier. Their tone was humiliating from the start as if we were criminals. But I told them my father was a brigadier and that they are inviting his wrath,” Zohaid said citing his misfortune.

Couples prefer Jungle Spot where they can sit in open or in their cars to smoke Sheeshas and drink dood pati.

“We are not law breaker. These spots are the only few public places where we can enjoy the company of friends,” said Onaiza Ahmed denouncing police attitude.

“Why can’t young people meet, talk, have coffee or ice creams together without being subjected to serial perpetration,” said her friend while smoking strawberry Sheesha. “There should be a helpline where we can report the corrupt policemen,” Safi suggested.

A senior CDA official, requesting not to be named, said, “we maintain and operate parks and playgrounds so that families, especially the youth, can visit and have good times. What possible threat can younger people be to national security at recreational spots?”, he said. “We have urged the police on several occasions but they just don’t cooperate”, he added.

The police checkpost near Islamabad Zoo that blocks access to Daman-i-Koh is more to do with harassment than with law enforcement. This reporter witnessed from a few meters away police extorting money from motorcyclists and visitors coming from other cities.

The police, however, deny the charges. ASI Shahid Zaman present at the Islamabad Zoo checkpost, said, “we have strict orders from the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior, Rehman Malik, to check every car and motorcycle on way to recreation spots in the Margalla Hills.”

What most visitors to Jungle Spot, Daman-i-Koh and Hot Spot have experienced is sudden change in police attitude – “With the intent to harass, annoy, threaten and alarm,” as Mr Salahuddin, an engineer put it.

“We are not terrorists. Terrorists are people at the top who sanction such harassment,” said his wife, also an engineer.

Taimoor Sultan Azam who is now AIG Motorway Police had once said, “police in colonial times were viewed as brutes that were to spread a shadow of fear. But we today need to change that impression from fear to respect.”

Obviously, his dream seems far from coming true.