SWABI, Jan 27: The transporters announced complete wheel jam strike in Swabi district from Saturday (today) and warned to set ablaze any vehicle coming on road after their talks with commissioner, Mardan, Adil Khan for fare increase failed on Friday.

The announcement in this regard was made by the transporters through loudspeakers across the district, who threatened to set ablaze any vehicle found plying on the road and picking up passengers.

After holding several rounds of negotiations with DCO Mohammad Shah and DPO Mohammad Ijaz Khan the transporters dashed to Mardan to seek some help from the commissioner, who told them to follow the fare list issued by the district administration. The sources said that the transporters defended their strike by saying that the administration had made a nominal increase against their demand for Rs5 increase in fare from one stop to the other.

The traffic police had already fines over 300 van drivers for overcharging, which were doing since the CNG filling stations strike on Jan 2.

When contacted, Waqif Khan, president of district transport association, told this correspondent that they had made complete arrangements for the strike, which would be continued till the meeting of their demand.

When contacted, the DCO said that the administration had planned to provide alternative vehicles to the commuters. He said that the transporters who charge the commuters according to the official list would be provided security by the police.

It has been learnt that police would be deputed all the major bus stands in the district to avoid any untoward incident and facilitate commuters. On Friday, all the coaches remained off the road and only pick-up vehicles were seen playing on all major routes.