Another crackdown in Kashmir -- on two-wheelers

In an effort to restore sanity on Srinagar's roads, police have cracked down heavily on two-wheelers, seizing more than 3,000 of them.

In the special drive launched last week, riders have been challaned for traffic violations including triple riding and not wearing helmets, police said.

The seized two-wheelers were given back to the owners after they paid up the fines.

The Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police has told petrol pump dealers to deny fuel to motorcyclists who do not wear helmets.

"The cooperation of petrol pump dealers is highly appreciated," a police statement said.

According to police, violations of traffic rules has led to a steep rise in road accidents.

More than 72,700 two-wheelers are registered in Srinagar. The number is 113,739 in the Kashmir division.

The traffic department says that 374 people died and 2,727 were injured in 1,898 road accidents in the state last year.

Srinagar's Superintendent of Police Maqsood-Ul-Zaman told IANS: "We will continue this drive till every rider wears a helmet and avoids triple riding.

"We will not tolerate any violation, and bikers who violate rules have to face action until the city becomes free of traffic violations," he added.