Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Aug 31: Several auto rickshaw drivers from various unions on Monday August 31 marched in protest from Light House Hill to State Bank, condemning the recent incidents of murder and assaults on auto drivers.

The protest was organized by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Auto Rickshaw Division along with various other organizations here.

Addressing the protest, Ali Hassan, president of Minority Auto Rickshaw Drivers' and Owners' Association said, "If the police department or the administration does not take severe action against the accused, auto rickshaw drivers will not operate from 7 pm every evening.

"Though auto drivers are providing public service, their lives are insecure. If the police department fails to take action against the accused we will not tolerate anymore and all auto drivers will stop running their rickshaws in the city," he warned.

President of HMS Auto Rickshaw Union said, "Attacks and murders have increased over the last 15 years. Auto drivers are the easy targets in many of the incidents. The administration should install CCTVs in auto parkings and prominent places. We demand that the police arrest the miscreants behind the attack on auto driver at Attavar recently."

Alphonse D'Souza said, "We condemn the assault on the auto driver Gurudath which recently took place at Attavar. Police should immediately arrest the culprits. Install CCTVs in the city to prevent such incidents."

Hamza of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Rickshaw Division said that 'auto drivers are like soldiers'.

He also slammed MLA J R Lobo and MLC Ivan D'Souza and said, "Why is J R Lobo silent on the issue of assault on auto drivers? He and Ivan D'Souza should understand the problems of drivers and show some sympathy. MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and district incharge minister B Ramanath Rai too should try to understand problems of auto drivers."