PESHAWAR: Hundreds of motorcycles were impounded in the provincial metropolis on Sunday as part of the security plan for Sehat Ka Insaf programme.

Many people were penalised for not having documents of their vehicles.

Officials of traffic police told Dawn that some 250 motorcycles were impounded for violating Section 144. The people had already been informed through media that primary schools would remain closed and there would be ban on motorcycle riding but despite that they violated the law, they added.

Officials said that most of the owners of impounded motorcycles had documents but they violated the law. Those motorcyclists, who had no registration documents, were fined, they added.An official said that during a special drive about 4,000 non-registered motorcycles were impounded and 56 of those were stolen.

The owners, he said, would have to clear their motorbikes through courts because they were bound to produce documents to police during checking. Police also remained alert during the drive. Officials said that about 4,000 personnel of police and Frontier Constabulary were deployed in the sensitive areas to guard anti-polio teams and check movement of suspected people and vehicles during Sehat Ka Insaf programme.

An official said that during checking about 100 Suzuki pick-up and 60 minibuses were also impounded for 24 hours for violating traffic rules.

He said that most of the operators of the minibuses didn`t take passengers to the last bus stop and forced them to disembark halfwaywhile charging full fare from them.

`It is unjust as the transporters ex-ploit poor passengers, who have to pay additional fare to other buses for reaching their destinations,` the official said. SSP Najeebur Rehman said that they had taken sufficient initiatives for protection of people, particularly for the vaccinators across Peshawar district.

Meanwhile, Senior Provincial Minister Shahram Khan Tarakai has said that government has resolved to provide best possible healthcare facilities to children.

He was talking to a delegation of Unicief comprising its polio team leader Peter Crowley, communication chief Sara Crow, country representative Dean Roahmin and senior adviser Jalal Abdul Wahab. Health Secretary Ghulam Qadir Khan, Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Zaheerul Islam, EPI Deputy Director Dr Janbaz Afridi and Adviser to Chief Minister Dr Imtiaz were also present on the occasion.

Mr Crowley congratulated Mr Tarakai for taking charges of health de-partment and assured him of cooperation. He also highlighted the efforts made by Unicef for various health projects.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that provision of best possible health facilities to children was top priority of the government.

He said that due to poverty and ignorance, the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were facing several health problems.-Bureau Report