LAYYAH, March 23: A number of transporters, together with people from other walks of life, on Friday threw traffic out of gear for three hours to register their protest against physical torture of a truck driver by the police.

Truck driver Muhammadullah told Dawn that he was going for loading wheat when Jaman Shah traffic police, accompanied by the city police station SHO, stopped him and demanded Rs500 as bribe but he could pay only Rs200.

An eyewitness said the driver’s refusal to pay the desired amount infuriated the police who smashed the window of the front door and literally dragged him out of the truck. Some city police officials and the traffic police thrashed the driver and injured him.

Some shopkeepers and passersby came to the driver’s rescue, according to another eyewitness who identified the police officials as SHO (city) Deen Muhammad, Shahid Khan, Aftab and Khadim.

Later, transporters and shopkeepers of the area blocked Tehsil Council Road near Veterinary Hospital for three hours, raising slogans against the SHO. They demanded that an inquiry should be conducted to bring the policemen to book.

Traffic DSP Abdul Razzaq Khan reached the troubled spot and held negotiations with the protesters.

He assured them that action would be taken against the police officials and paid Rs3,000 to the victim as compensation.

Later, talks were held between the police officials and the traders, led by Anjuman-i-Tajran President Muhammad Aslam Khan, as a consequence of which the SHO apologised for his behaviour.

Dr Javed Iqbal, a human rights activist, criticised the police and demanded suspension of the SHO.