A fist-fight broke out on Monday between an enraged citizen and traffic police personnel over a motorcycle parking row near Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road.
Television footage showed a citizen and traffic police personnel locked in a scuffle, with heavy punches thrown by either party. The scuffle broke out when 35-year-old Shafiq was told not to park his motorcycle close to the traffic police check-point near PIDC House.
The citizen however argued with the traffic police personnel and insisted he be allowed to park his two-wheeler at the spot since other vehicles were also parked in the vicinity. Upon refusal from the traffic police officials, heated arguments from either side escalated into a brawl.
Later, additional security personnel, including police and Rangers officials, reached the spot and the subdued citizen, who was also hit on his head by a helmet, was shifted to the Civil Lines police station.
Many onlookers also gathered at the spot, with passersby and other motorcyclists siding with the citizen. A case was registered against the 35-year-old who was handcuffed and put behind the bars.
Family members of the citizen reached the police station and claimed that the motorcyclist was a psychiatric patient who was undergoing treatment. Shafiq was later released on submission of a personal bond by one of his family members.
Commenting over the incident, rights activist Asma Jahangir said that even a child could tell that an FIR could not be registered against a psychiatry patient. She said that security officials had been given a free hand under the guise of fighting terrorism.
She said that an FIR should be filed regarding this incident and an enquiry conducted into the case, adding that cases should be registered against every station house officer who terrorises ordinary citizens.
