NAROWAL: Transport drivers in Zafarwal staged a strong protest on Tuesday against alleged misconduct by traffic police.

They blocked two-way traffic on Khatm-i-Nubuwwat Bypass by parking their vehicles,

raising slogans against the behaviour of traffic police personnel.

Drivers providing school and college transport services accused traffic police of harassment and bribery.

Waseem Abbas and Muhammad Adnan, two protesting drivers, alleged that wardens demanded bribes despite being shown valid driving licences. Abbas further claimed that upon refusal to pay, the officers verbally abused him, forcibly removed him from his vehicle, and confiscated his licence.

The protest caused a significant disruption to traffic flow.

A heavy police contingent arrived at the scene to mediate. Following negotiations, the drivers cleared the road, and traffic was restored.

Sub-Inspector Javed of the traffic police, however, stated that the driver in question had misbehaved with the warden. He said inexperienced drivers, particularly those around 28-30 years old, often cause road accidents.

The protesting drivers have demanded suspension of the offending officers and called on Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and IGP Dr Usman Anwar to take immediate action.

ACCIDENT: Nine people sustained serious injuries when an overloaded mini truck overturned due to a broken axle on Shakargarh Road near Aliabad Stop.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson reported that the truck was carrying an excessive load when its axle broke, causing the vehicle to overturn.

Rescue teams provided first aid and transported the injured persons to District Headquarters Hospital, Narowal.

The injured include Muhammad Ayub (79), Faizur Rehman (48), Abid Ali (51), Muhammad Razzaq (55), Saif Ali (58), Razzaq Saif (42), Ashiq Ali (57), Muhammad Adif (53) and Muhammad Saleem (45).

Dr Mohammad Bilal, on duty in the emergency ward at DHQ Hospital, confirmed that two of the injured are in critical condition, while the others are receiving treatment.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2024