LAHORE: A large number of rickshaw drivers on Sunday staged a protest against what they called unjustified challans by Lahore Transport Company and “purchi fee” being charged at the railway station and hospitals.

The protesting drivers, along with their rickshaws, gathered at Lorri Adda on the call of Pakistan Awami Rickshaw Union. They drove their three-wheelers in procession on Circular Road and moved towards the City Railway Station.

They blocked the road for traffic and chanted slogans against the LTC and traffic police authorities demanding withdrawal of undue challaning and purchi fee at the railway station and different hospitals.

The union chairman, Majeed Ghauri, addressing the protesters said they would continue to protest till the LTC and traffic police authorities stopped issuing tickets (challans) to the poor rickshaw drivers.

He said even the rickshaw drivers carrying serious patients to different hospitals had to pay “purchi fee” or they were told to drop the ailing people outside these healthcare facilities.

Mr Ghauri termed these excessive challans extortion and warned of launching a ‘Rickshaw Jalao’ (burn the rickshaw) movement if the LTC and police authorities did not stop the practice.

He said the LTC was issuing Rs1,000 challan slips to the drivers, while the railway station officials demanded Rs200 from them. Those who question the “extortion” were subjected to physical torture, he alleged.

He also alleged that some ruling party activists were patronising the ‘extortion’ in connivance with railway and Naulukha police station officials.

Mr Ghauri said official and unofficial extortionists had already got banned the entry of rickshaws at Jinnah Bus Terminal, Thokar Niaz Baig, adding they were charging Rs50 from each driver picking passengers from the terminal.

LTC spokesman Mr Nasir said challan slips were issued over different violations, including driving rickshaw without getting fitness certificate and route permit from transport authorities.

He said the LTC had banned LPG cylinders in rickshaws and fines were also slapped for the ban violation after inspection of these vehicles.

Published in Dawn February 13th, 2017