Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Sep 10: Two auto rickshaw drivers, who refused to take passengers bound for certain destinations in the city, were fined by the policemen of Barke station in the city on the night of Thursday September 8. The drivers, identified as Shekhar and Umesh, who were operating from the auto rickshaw stand of KSRTC bus stand here, had refused to take in passengers.

Cases were registered against them, and a fine of Rs 500 each was imposed. They were also warned not to repeat this conduct henceforth.

Reportedly, some passengers who came by buses approached these auto rickshaw drivers for ferrying them to their destinations. Assistant commissioner of police, Ravindra Gadadi, who was in the bus stand in plain clothes at the time, saw the auto drivers arguing with passengers. When he tried to convince the drivers to carry the passengers to the specified destinations, they refused, not knowing that he was a police officer. The ACP then registered a complaint in Barke police station and ensured that they coughed up fine.

The policemen have requested people to complain to them if the auto rickshaw drivers refuse to abide by the rules which make it mandatory for them to ferry passengers to any destination within the city limits at agreed rates.