Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 14: A group of sumo drivers protested here today under the banner of the Panthachowk Drivers Association, alleging that a police officer misbehaved with the union’s office bearers for charging high prices.
The drivers assembled at the Press Enclave and raised slogans in support of their demands. The protesting drivers claimed that police officers had thrashed their president unfairly and demanded an investigation into the officer’s “highhandedness.”
According to the protesting drivers, one of the passengers refused to pay Rs 120 “as fare fixed by the authorities” for a 50-kilometre journey, claiming that the fare was excessive. A Traffic officer stationed at DPS School ordered the motorist to present the rate list after the incident was reported to the police.
“I showed the officer the rate list and informed him that the passenger had asked for the fare established by the RTO Kashmir. Because our association’s office is nearby, the officer asked me to bring the president here. All of a sudden, the cop pushed president and tore the rate list, “a driver said.
The drivers informed that the rate list fixed by RTO Kashmir had been received by them through the office of the Labour Commissioner. “We charge at the rate established by the relevant authorities. However, traffic authorities are being arrogant and misbehaving with us, “he said.
The drivers said that they obtained the tariff list set by RTO Kashmir through the Labour Commissioner’s office. “We charge at the rate set by the appropriate authorities. On the other hand, the traffic authorities are arrogant and misbehaving with us,” another driver said.
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