Police resorted to light baton charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse rickshaw drivers who were staging a protest demonstration and blocked the Qurtaba Chowk here on Thursday.
Police charged baton, tear-gas protesters and fired in the air to scatter the rickshaw drivers, who on the call given by All Pakistan Auto Rickshaw Drivers Association demonstrating to press the authorities concerned to allow entry to 2-stroke rickshaws on the Mall Road. Due to the demonstration, traffic remained jammed on various roads causing great difficulties to the commuters. After the police action, protestors dispersed; which ensured smooth flow of traffic. Police remained alert at different areas to meet any untoward incident.
Earlier, Chairman All Pakistan Auto Rickshaw Drivers Association Asghar Khan Mehmand informed the protesting rickshaw drivers that the government has imposed a restriction for 2-stroke rickshaws to enter in different city roads. He said that no one could deprive them of their right of earning their livelihood. He said that they would not allow the government to ban 2-stroke rickshaws until it provides them an alternate source of income.
He informed the protestors that matter regarding entry of 2-stroke rickshaws on Mall Road is still pending with the High Court; and requested them to gather before High Court on May 08.