The Punjab police on Monday made tight security arrangements by erecting several pickets in the provincial metropolis in order to maintain peaceful atmosphere besides nabbing youngsters involved in one-wheeling during celebration of the Independence Day. "Around 6,000 police personnel were deployed in the city to ensure security and to take action against one-wheelers during the independence celebration," said a senior official of the provincial police department. He said they have also arrested several people over the charges of one-wheeling, rash driving eve-teasing.
A contingent of police and pickets was also seen deployed on Canal Bank Road (after each underpass), Ferozepur Road, Jail Road, Liberty Roundabout, Mall Road and other main thoroughfares of the city to take action against the miscreants. The youngsters, however, accused the police officials of demanding illegal gratification.
Talking to this scribe, a commuter, Ali Raza, complained that he was caught by policemen at the Canal Bank Road but he managed to secure his release after paying them Rs 300. He claimed that the cops had threatened him of impounding his motorbike. Ikhlas Javed, another victim of police, said an ASI Ali Raza, deployed at the picket of Model Town Link Road, thrashed him when he shouted at him after he demanded illegal gratification by accusing of getting 'low profile alloy rims' installed in his car. "I will let you go if you oblige me and my friends since your car is modified," he quoted the cop as having said.