SAHIWAL: Kosowal police during a raid on Monday arrested four personnel of anti-motorcycle lifting squad, Mustafabad, Lahore, for setting up an illegal picket and extorting money from bikers.

Kosowal Station House Officer Magsood Khan told Dawn that the personnel were booked for violating sections 155/C and 156/C of Police Order 2002. An FIR 260/15 was registered on the complaint of motorcyclist Shahzad.

The arrested are ASI Habib Ali, constable-driver Farhat, constable Zohaib and excise inspector Khalid.

One of their colleagues con-stable Mudassir Zawar of Kosowal managed his escape.

The SHO said three days back five police personnel of anti-motorcycle lifting squad had raided an area in Mian Channu to arrest absconder Baka Masih wanted by them in dacoity FIR 350/15. They could not arrest him and instead of returning to their station in Lahore, the squad set up an illegal picket in Kosowal police precincts and allegedly startedextortingmoney from motorcyclists.

On Monday, motorcyclist Shahzad gave money to the personnel and informed Kosowal police. A team raided the picket and arrested four members of the squad.