Bhubaneswar: Two days after violence during a protest by app-based riders here, the Smart City Online Auto-Taxi Drivers Union Friday apologised for the inconvenience caused to the public and urged the government to release the vehicles seized by police.
In a video message, union president Dinabandhu Naik said the protesters accepted responsibility for the disruption.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to the public. It was a mistake from our part, and we humbly accept it. This should not have happened. I hope people will forgive us,” Naik said.
Rejecting allegations by some ruling party leaders that the violence was “politically motivated”, Naik said the protest had nothing to do with politics.
“The protest has nothing to do with any politics. More than 20 associations of online auto-rickshaw, bike and taxi drivers organised the protest for our livelihood,” he said.
He appealed to political parties not to link the agitation with politics and urged the government and police to release the seized vehicles.
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“We are not terrorists or goons, we are citizens of this state. We request the government to intervene and resolve our problems,” Naik said.
Drivers and riders registered with various online ride-hailing platforms, along with hundreds of autorickshaws and taxis, had taken out a rally from Raj Mahal Square and parked their vehicles at the busy Master Canteen and railway station area August 19.
When police personnel tried to persuade the protesters to clear the road, the agitators allegedly turned violent and pelted stones at the force deployed at the spot, a police officer said.
At least 13 police personnel, including the IIC of Capital Police Station, sustained injuries in the face-off.
Protesters also allegedly vandalised three police vans and several Ama buses during the agitation, he said.
Police have arrested 113 persons and seized 354 vehicles for violating norms, the officer said, adding that a search was on to arrest Naik.