LAHORE: A young man died while dozens of other people, including a Dolphin Squad policeman, injured and landed in various hospitals of the city during the Independence Day-related celebrations here on Wednesday.

The death took place near the Punjab University’s New Campus where some youngsters were doing a wheelie and two of them collided with each other, causing serious injuries to three persons, including a Dolphin personnel. One of the injured youngsters breathed his last when he was shifted to a local hospital.

A police official said the Dolphin personnel got a leg and an arm fractured when he chased the wheelie doers for risking lives of many other motorists near New Campus and his bike too collided with another one.

Several incidents of brief physical scuffles were reported in various parts of the city, particularly, on the Lahore Canal, The Mall, Jail Road, the Gulberg Main Boulevard.

The incidence of reckless driving, speeding, criminal negligence and violation of traffic laws rise considerably during the Independence Day celebrations, taking a heavy toll on the citizens.

The reports suggested that the Services Hospital Lahore received 40 injured people, Mayo 25 and the Jinnah Hospital 20.

The city also witnessed many incidents of harassment to the families by the young men on major roads.

Hundreds of youngsters came to major roads of the provincial capital in separate groups to celebrate the Independence Day.

After evening, the number was reported in thousands as all major and several minor roads were packed with motorbikes, cars, and other vehicles.

The reports emerging from various public sector teaching hospitals suggested that the youngsters and others were brought to the emergency wards with legs, arms and head fractures.

Separately, the police arrested dozens of violators for creating nuisance for other citizens.

As many as 10,000 police personnel were deployed on the roads to ensure smooth flow of traffic and security to families and other citizens.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2024