Ranchi, Sept. 24: Students of Ranchi Women's College were caught unawares today when they were hauled up by traffic policemen for not wearing helmets while riding two-wheelers near the campus's science block on Circular Road.

Over 50 students had to cough up a fine of Rs 100 each for flouting the road rule during the special drive led by traffic SP Sanjay Ranjan Singh himself and his deputy Dilip Khalkho.

Some youths waiting nearing the college gate on their two-wheelers faced the music too, as traffic constables randomly asked them to show their driving licences. Those who failed to produce the mandatory document had to pay a fine of Rs 200 each.

"It was surprising to see that even though students carried helmets with them, they were not wearing it," said a traffic constable, M.T. Alam.

Two fashion designing students were heard pleading with another constable, Vijay Kerketta, just near the science block gate. "Sir, please hum log ko maaf kar dijiye, hum log helmets utar diye the jab college pahuchne wale the (Sir, please leave us. We removed the helmets just before entering the college)," the girls said.

Kerketta was strict, not allowing the two to enter the college without collecting fine.

"I saw both of you riding without helmets right from the road. You have to pay a fine of Rs 100 each," he admonished them.

Reena Das, a final-year chemistry honours student, sheepishly admitted that she was not aware of the traffic drive, or else, she would have been more careful.

"Whenever I leave my house to attend lectures, I never forget to wear my helmet and only open it when I enter the college gate. Today, I removed it midway. I have learnt my lesson and will be careful from now on," she said.

At the end of the crackdown that continued for one and a half hours from 1pm, traffic jawans collected Rs 5,000 from the students for helmet-less rides and Rs 2,000 from outsiders for not carrying driving licence.

"After carrying out traffic drives in different areas like Ratu Road, Upper Bazaar and Sujata Chowk, we started checks near colleges from today to see whether students were complying with traffic rules or not. But to our utter surprise, even girls are violating norms," said traffic SP Singh.

On Monday, similar drives will be conducted at the college's arts block, Marwari College, St Xavier's College and Doranda College.