Traffic constable fleecing Murree visitors on New Year’s Eve

ISLAMABAD: As people flock to the hill station of Murree on New Year’s Eve, they are increasing facing harassment from traffic police officers.

According to reports, there is a large of vehicles from Islamabad and other parts of the province heading to the scenic hill town due to winter vacations and New Year’s Eve. However, several traffic officers are also seeking advantage of the situation.

A traffic police constable named Adeel Abbasi posted at police checkpoint has fined several private vehicles with a minimum of Rs500. Many local visitors have stated that tourists face such problems at this time of the year.

The hostile attitude of traffic policemen is occasionally seen at this time of the year. Even families and journalists are not being spared, while the constable tells them to lodge a complaint.

People have urged Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Rawalpindi to take notice of the incident. They said that it is the right of the constable to issue fines but they should not create any miseries for the visitors.

It must be mentioned that the city traffic police in Murree has devised a traffic plan on the occasion of New Year’s Eve after receiving instruction from CTO Rawalpindi Mohammad Bin Ashraf.

Under the plan, Mall Road will be closed for all types of traffic and traffic wardens will be deployed in the city. There will be strict action against underage motorists and motorcycle drivers without helmets or registration plates, and with tinted windows.

Tourists have been advised to cooperate with traffic police and follow the rules for their own safety. Strict action will be taken against violators and squads have been deployed to implement the rules.

The traffic police has warned that over-speeding in mountainous regions is dangerous, while parking on the side of the road can stop the smooth flow of traffic.