Police on Friday 'forcefully' confiscated dozens of vehicles and parked them inside Nishtar Park for security of a religious rally, forcing the drivers to spent the whole night on Soldier Bazaar's roads in the metropolis.
The Station House Officer (SHO) Soldier Bazaar Police Station Rafe Tanoli who was busy diverting the vehicles (Shehzors, Suzukis, trucks, etc) towards Nishtar Park from Soldier Bazaar No-3 signal told Business Recorder that higher authorities have directed him to confiscate the vehicles for the reason 'best known to them'.
He refused to explain when he was asked as to why these vehicles are being confiscated. "Why should I explain? I am not bound to do so. I am following the directions from higher authorities and that's it," the SHO said and again got busy along with a half of dozen of officials to stop other vehicle.
However, a policeman at PS Soldier Bazaar said that a Chup Tazia - a religious ritual is going to take place in the area tomorrow and that these vehicles would be placed on roads instead of containers to divert traffic and to avoid any untoward incident in the rally route.
Around 50 to 60 drivers were standing outside the Nishtar Park requesting the policemen to release their vehicles so that they could go back to their homes.
"I am a blood pressure patient and my health is getting deteriorated. These policemen have parked my vehicle here for the last two hours," said an elderly driver at around 10:00PM.
He alleged that police took in the custody some drivers who were protesting against the confiscation of vehicles here. A mobile van came that took away the protesters, he said.
It is unfortunate that police (whose prime responsibility is to protect lives and properties of citizens) is involved in harassing the poor man, he said.
Some 30 uniformed policemen were also present inside Nishtar Park. They said they have come from Razzakabad police training centre to guard the religious rally. They said they have nothing to do with the confiscation of vehicles.