Rickshaw drivers block road

Published January 20, 2003

GUJRANWALA, Jan 19: Drivers of motorcycle and auto-rickshaws blocked the Khiali Bypass intersection on Sunday in protest against the collection of forced tax by some vagabonds.

Reports said some vagabonds used to receive forced tax from motorcycle and auto-rickshaw drivers plying their vehicles in Khiali and Marliwala areas. They beat two drivers, Ilyas and Yaqoob, when they refused to pay the same.

Following the incident, the drivers blocked the Main Sheikhupura Road and demanded early arrest of the accused.

However, they dispersed peacefully when a senior police officer reached the spot and assured them that the culprits would be taken to task.

POLICE CLAIM: The district police claim having arrested 40 proclaimed offenders and several gangs of dacoits and robbers and recovered a huge quantity of illegal arms and looted goods from their possession.

District police officer Saud Aziz told newsmen here on Sunday that some 32 POs, including the killers of former minister Chaudhry Farooq, were arrested by the Wazirabad police.

He said eight POs and a gang of dacoits were caught by Ferozewala and Aroop police. Four Kalashnikovs, six rifles, two pump actions and 500 rounds besides a tractor-trolley and looted goods were recovered from them.

LOOTED: Dacoits and robbers looted four houses in different strikes in and around city on Sunday.

Three armed men entered the house of Abdul Rahman in Garjakh and fled after collecting Rs40,000 in cash, jewellery, wristwatches and electronic goods.

Five dacoits stormed into the house of Din Mohammad in the same locality and decamped with Rs50,000 in cash, gold ornaments and valuables.

Four armed men took away Rs70,000 in cash, jewellery and valuables from the house of Shakeel in Baghbanpura.

Two robbers stormed into the house of Dilshad in Model Town mini-market and escaped after looting Rs10,000 in cash. They also injured the house owner on resistance.

SUSPENDED: Alam Chowk Bypass SHO sub-inspector Zubair Akhlaq was suspended from service by the district police officer for inefficiency here on Sunday.

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