FAISALABAD, Jan 23: Altercation between commuters and public transporters has become a routine in the entire district due to alleged overcharging by the latter in the wake of increase in the prices of petroleum products.

A visit to some of the city areas as well as adjoining towns of Satiana, Tandlianwala, Dijkot, Samundri, Jaranwala and Chak Jhumra revealed that disputes between commuters and transporters had been increasing day by day due to raise in fare for travelling without the government's permission.

Drivers of taxis, rickshaws, urban transport vehicles, goods carriers and loader vehicles also are demanding 20 to 30 per cent extra fare on the pretext of high rates of petrol and diesel. The public believes that the transporters had enhanced the fare on their own during the Eid holidays.

On the other hand, drivers and conductors of public transport claim that they are bearing the brunt of increase in the prices of petroleum products by Rs5 per litre during the last few months by the government, which had not increased the fare proportionately. They said they had been left with no option but to enhance fare on their own to run their vehicles and feed their families.

Traffic police officials have confirmed the reports about scuffles between the transporters and the public, but claim that they can't take action against the transporters for not having any proof to overcharging.

They have demanded that the chief minister should take stock of the situation and direct the authorities concerned to take action against transporters overcharging without any justification.

KILLED: Two boys were gunned down by a group of armed people over a dispute of abducting a girl at Chak No 136-RB in Chak Jhumra police precinct on Saturday night. Reports said a girl was abducted by Nawaz and his accomplices a couple of months ago.