Back in 1996 after my passing out from Military Academy, I had to once travel by public transport to spend a week end with my parents from my duty station.
Patriotism pouring out of my moves I took a ride from Rawalpindi Porriwala Pul to Raja Bazar in a Suzuki Single Cabin Pick Up sitting next to driver.
He told me the front seat was generally limited to women but as there were none so i could sit but he said he would charge me for two passengers as he offers front seat to two passengers normally.
I agreed and we moved.
After few minutes I reached my interim destination, Raja Bazar and I offered him 10 Rs.
He returned me five though charges of one passengers were only Two Rupees. I asked him for the left over one Rupee. He misconducted and said why are you worried so much for one Rupee and drove off.
I walked over to the Addawala (People Responsible for Transport Management) and they also asked me to ignore that one Rupee.
I went to a Traffic Sergent (Policeman) he also didn’t respond to the call and advised me to look for a man called Sub Inspector of the Traffic in the Bazar (Populated Market).
I spent 10-15 minutes and found him having a glass of milk shake from some Milk Shop. I approached him and told him about the Dishonesty of the driver and Transport Management Team.
The Result was he laughed at me as if i was joking to him. I asked him law. He said, Babu jeee take this one Rupee from me and go.
I said tell me the procedure to lodge complaint he said write an application so i went down to a big shop, requested for a pen and paper wrote an application. Searched for Inspector again and handed over him the application. He still smiled and said you may go we will take action.
I told him something that was the shock of life for him.
I said, “Look Inspector i have not addressed the application to you but to Inspector General of Traffic Police and i have made four copies of application for submitting one each in court of law, my military head quarters, to your concerned Superintendents office and one that i will hand over myself to Inspector General’s Office. I told him i have written his name, and the name of Traffic Sergent that i read from their name plates and the fact that they made fun of me instead of dealing with the do.
Everything Changed he removed his dark glasses…almost dragged me to the sergeants location. slapped him and told him that why didn’t he listen to me.. than to Transport Management committee (Addawalas) He growled and howled at them and asked them for the Pick Up driver who had charged me more than fixed rate.
I had recorded the Registration Number of vehicle so they got him in minutes.
He was beaten for almost few minutes and was asked as to why he charged me more.
He begged for mercy and looked at me like a six year old kid who looks at his father after some foolish mistake.
They all looked at me.
I asked them why they manhandled the driver.
I asked them what is the legal action?
Would they do challan? issue Ticket?
They ultimately did and then looked at me for getting the photocopy of application that was against them.
I told them they have only done their part i have to still report about First Behavior and left the place.
I tore off all copies when i reached home at 8 pm.
My father asked me what happened and why i got late?
I told him I was teaching few friends in need.