MINGORA: Police seized more than 70 rickshaws for not having number plates during a crackdown here on Tuesday.

The campaign was launched against underage drivers and vehicles without number plates. “There are more than 16,000 rickshaws in Mingora and the number is increasing as illegal two-stroke rickshaws are common here. The rickshaws emit huge amount of smoke and spread pollution. These two stroke-rickshaws have been banned everywhere in the country except Swat,” said Abid Ali, a social activist in Mingora.

The local people said that majority of the rickshaws were not following traffic rules and many drivers were also under age. They also complained against the underage bikers and motorcyclists, who could be seen everywhere in Mingora.

“This is really an alarming situation as more young boys ride bicycles in Mingora,” said Khanzeb, a resident of Saidu Sharif.

The residents of the area demanded of police to take strict legal action against those drivers, who violated traffic rules.

Following the public complaints, police launched drive against illegal rickshaws and underage cyclists and motorcyclists.

“We have seized over 70 rickshaws without number plates. We also caught many underage motorcyclists and others, who did not follow traffic rules, said Wazir Hussain, the head of traffic police. He added that the crackdown would continue until roads in Swat were cleared from illegal vehicles. He said that every effort would be made to keep traffic smooth in Swat.

Published in Dawn, November 22nd, 2017