Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 29: More than 80 auto drivers affiliated to Rajdhani Auto Mahasangha Monday demonstrated at the DCP office here alleging the Bhubaneswar Auto-rickshaw Mahasangha members were harassing them and demanding `10 from them everyday.
The members of Rajdhani Auto Mahasangha went to the DCP office to meet deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi and urge him to look into the matter. They, however, could not meet him as he was away at that time.
Rajdhani Auto Mahasangha general secretary Subrat Kumar Mohanty alleged members of Bhubaneswar Auto-rickshaw Mahasangha were intimidating them and were not letting them operate in the city.
“Bhubaneswar Auto-rickshaw Mahasangha general secretary Naveen Kumar Samal and cashier Prashant Kumar Rout were sending hooligans, who are forcibly collecting Rs 10 from each of us on a regular basis. They have threatened us of dire consequences if we do not stop our auto service,” said Mohanty.
Bhubaneswar Auto-rickshaw Mahasangha was rapidly increasing its strength of three-wheelers in the city without the consent of the authorities, he added.
The Rajdhani Auto Mahasangha members went on to allege that Saheed Nagar police are hand-in-glove with Bhubaneswar Auto-rickshaw Mahasangha members.
“We have taken up the matter with Saheed Nagar inspector-in-charge today. The police officials even threatened to book us under ‘section 120’ if we don’t keep quiet,” said a member of the Rajdhani Auto Mahasangha.
The Rajdhani Auto Mahasangha leaders said the auto-drivers of other unions were harassed by the Bhubaneswar Auto-rickshaw Mahasangha members. “We won’t tolerate the atrocities anymore,” said Rajdhani Auto Mahasangha members.