KARACHI: A fist-fight broke out on Monday between an enraged citizen and traffic police personnel as a row over motorcycle parking escalated near the PIDC traffic section at the intersection of Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road and Club Road.
Television footage showed a citizen and traffic police personnel locked in a scuffle, with heavy punches thrown by each party.
The episode occurred when the citizen, identified as 35-year-old Shafiq, was told not to park his motorcycle near the traffic police check-point near PIDC House, DawnNews reported.
The citizen argued that he should be allowed to park his two-wheeler as other vehicles were also parked in the vicinity. Upon refusal from the traffic police officials the heated argument escalated into a brawl.
Later, additional security personnel, including police and Rangers officials, reached the spot and the subdued citizen, who was also hit on his head by a helmet, was shifted to a nearby police station.
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Many onlookers also gathered at the spot, with passersby and other motorcyclists siding with the citizen.
A case was registered against the 35-year-old, who was handcuffed and put behind bars, at the Civil Lines police station.
Family members of the citizen reached the police station and claimed that the motorcyclist was a psychiatric patient who was undergoing treatment.
Shafiq was later released on personal bond.
Even a child can tell you an FIR cannot be registered against a mental patient, human rights activist and lawyer Asma Jahangir told DawnNews.
Security officials have been given a free hand under the guise of fighting terrorism, she said.
An FIR should be filed regarding this incident and an enquiry conducted into the case, the renowned human rights activist said adding that an FIR should also be registered against every Station House Officer who terrorises ordinary citizens.
Chairman of Ansar Burney Trust International, Ansar Burney, told DawnNews that police should not have registered an FIR against the citizen if they knew he was a mental patient.
PIDC area faces parking problems due to lack of parking space and traffic congestion. The area has also been declared a 'red-zone' with Chief Minister House, Governor House and other government buildings situated in the vicinity.
