MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Hundreds of bike riders took to the streets of Muzaffarabad, the capital city of Azad Kashmir, to protest against the unfair traffic challans.
The protesters, gathered at Chhatar Chowk, alleged that the traffic police were making their lives difficult by issuing unjustified heavy challans despite having complete documents.
The protesters demanded that the authorities resolve their problems and stop the abuses of the traffic police immediately.
Former assembly candidate and Muslim Conference leader Saqib Majid also joined the protestors, condemning the traffic police’s actions and calling it a clear example of administrative incompetence.
Majid emphasized that imposing heavy fines on bike riders who earn a meager income is tantamount to oppression.
The protesters claimed that they are forced to ride bikes due to a lack of employment opportunities in the area.
One protester, an MPhil holder, said he is forced to ride bikes due to not getting a job, highlighting the issue of unemployment in the region.
The protesters also expressed frustration with the e-challan system, which they claim is being used to harass them.
Recently, Muzaffarabad police introduced a similar e-challan system to modernize traffic enforcement, but it seems that the implementation of such systems requires careful consideration of the local context.
The protest highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to traffic enforcement in Muzaffarabad, taking into account the economic and social realities of the local population.
The authorities are urged to find a solution to the problems faced by the bike riders and to ensure that the traffic police’s actions are fair and reasonable.
