Daily Times

LAHORE: Like other parts of the world, thousands of revellers bid adieu to 2017 on Saturday night in the provincial capital amid tight security.

Hundreds of Lahoris came out on roads to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Unfortunately, several motorcyclists were also injured while performing dangerous stunts, especially wheeling and racing. Police also arrested more than 200 motorcyclists on the charge of wheeling and over speeding across the city.

Several ceremonies were held to mark the arrival of New Year with a hope that it will bring more cheers as compared to last year. People also held fireworks display on the rooftops of the buildings across the city.

However, the Bharia Town arranged a colourful family musical night show on New Year’s Eve, where a large number of citizens including women and children observed fireworks display also.

Meanwhile, Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) DIG Syed Ahmed Mobeen said that the traffic police remained present on all important roads till late on Saturday night to facilitate road users. He said traffic wardens ensured smooth flow of traffic on all roads across
the city.

The functions to celebrate ‘New Year Night’ were arranged, preferably, in houses in posh localities and no open gatherings were seen in the city. However, top hotels of city arranged colourful parties for locals and foreigners.

Police contingents were also deployed at different places. All police stations wee directed to keep foolproof security arrangements in
their areas.

Police were asked to take strict action against wheelers. Police also arrested dozens of wheelers on the charges of drinking and registered cases against them in different police stations city.

A senior traffic police officer said that traffic police high ups were directed to depute special squads of wardens on different roads, especially Jail Road, The Mall Road, Main Boulevard Gulberg, Canal Road and Ferozepur Road.

On the other hand, several citizens complained against misbehaviour by traffic wardens and city police.

A spokesman for the DIG Operations Office said that city police impounded 1,341 motorcycles, besides arresting 11 motorcyclists on the charge of wheeling. He added that police also arrested 48 persons on the charges of aerial firing and registered 23 cases against them.