Rescuers continue to collect the dead, parents continue to mourn as policemen fail to stop one-wheeling with hundreds falling prey to ‘exhilaration’
“There are bombs going all around and you say one-wheeling is dangerous? It’s a child’s play! Come on Usman, just one last race!”
And Usman, a resident of Nawab Town and an intermediate student, was lured into the last motorbike race of his life. He was taken to the General Hospital in a critical condition. He could not survive.
The provincial capital government has implemented Section 144 on one- wheeling for motorists, but the youngsters are paying no heed.
According to reports, youngsters are seen one-wheeling across the city on motorbikes while drifting on cars and auto rickshaws but the police has failed to stop them.
More than 200 youngsters lost their lives to one-wheeling in the past two years while more than 1,300 people suffered and died at the hands of these motorists.
On occasions like Eid, Independence Day, New Year, Shab-e-Barat, government holidays and even on Saturdays, the youngsters are seen one-wheeling in groups.
A few days ago, on August 14, four boys died in different areas of the city, Sialkot and Kasur.
The district coordination officer (DCO), inspector general (IG) police, city traffic officer (CTO) and other government offers have ordered the arrest of those indulging in one-wheeling but even then the number of one-wheelers is on the rise.
Boys aged 14 to 20 years are adopting one-wheeling as a source of entertainment.
Moreover, these days one-wheeling racers are also involved in gambling on money starting from Rs 100,000 to Rs 250,000.
There are different types of races in which the riders do dangerous actions such as kicking the opponents to win the race for money and many have lost their lives after losing control of the vehicle.
A one-wheeler, Noman, told Pakistan Today that he does one wheeling for entertainment, usually on the Jail Road, Mall Road and the Canal Road because these roads are wide. He admitted that one-wheeling is a dangerous sport but pointed out that in these days, living in Pakistan is also dangerous due to terrorism, adding that the government should make a place where youngsters could do one-wheeling without any danger to their lives or the lives of others.
According to police sources, the one-wheelers are very smart and many are involved in crimes. When chased by the police, they flee easily because they are adept at riding speedy motorbikes.
Sources said that the police have arrested many one-wheelers and during investigations it was revealed that many were denied money by their family to make their motorbikes faster and so they indulged in crimes to get the money.
Punjab Police DIG Operations Tahir Rai has strictly ordered all policemen of the city to arrest anyone indulging in one-wheeling and file an FIR against them.
More than 500 youngsters were arrested on August 14 and rescue workers shifted 1,600 people who suffered at the hands of the one-wheelers, as well as 250 injured one-wheelers to different hospitals during the recent Eid days and August 14.
Our law enforcers and those in power have no brains and badly need a kick in their behinds.Why can't they dedicate an area and invite those interested to enter prior to 14 August.Young men need such adventure.Make it an event with undertaking from parents in case they get hurt. Police instead of chasing all over can supervise this without money or connection if possible. Let them celebrate and Showbaz should not become in but watch it on TV with his right hand finger folded.
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