Chandigarh: Traffic cops fine 200 on Valentine's Day

CHANDIGARH: While rainfall during the day kept youngsters inside their homes, nakas setup by UT traffic police disrupted the traffic flow on Thursday. The UT traffic police on Valentine's Day erected 44 nakas at various places across the city from 4pm to 10pm and issued over 200 challan. Last year on Valentine's Day, the traffic police department had issued 72 challans. Many Tricity residents were seen complaining that the traffic cops stopped the traffic movement at different parts of the city.

"Usually, the stretch from DAV College turn till Sector 11 market and Sector 8 and 9 markets are seen jampacked on Valentine's Day, however, on Thursday the crowd was comparatively less," said Rajan Vir Singh, who owns a shop in Sector 10.

"Rainfall during the day took its toll on the footfall. Every year, cops setup barricades in the city but couples without any fear enjoy the day," another shopkeeper said.

Meanwhile, stringent security checks were also put in place across the city and areas like Geri Route and MCM DAV college in Sector 36 remained under special vigilance.

"We were directed to check and control any form of hooliganism," said Dalbir Singh, inspector, UT police. Over 700 police personnel were deployed across the city on Valentine's Day.

Members of Hindu outfits visited parks on Thursday and cautioned couples on obscene behaviour at public places. They visited Shanti Kunj, Rose Garden and a park in Sector 15 and spoke to the couples in the presence of cops. However, no incident of violence was reported from any parts of city.