Mangaluru: Auto drivers of the city staged a protest against the assault on an auto driver at Attavar and demanded justice. A protest rally was flagged off from Jyothi Circle and culminated in front of the DC office here, on August 31.
Addressing the protesters, president of Muslim Varthakara Sangha DK and Udupi District, Ali Hassan said that many auto drivers have been assaulted and murdered but no action has been taken against them. “We do not have safety. We work day and night without being with our family and get assaulted. The government should provide safety and security for us. If auto drivers refuse to take the passengers after 7 pm, there won’t be any other mode of transport. The new laws and changes in the system are also targeting auto drivers.” He also warned the district administration that if they fail to provide protection and safety, auto drivers will stop running autos in the district. “People gather in large numbers to reduce the auto fare, but when auto drivers are assaulted or murdered, there is no one to raise their voice. The murderers of the auto driver in Mangala Jyothi has/have not been arrested. Even the group of attackers who attacked auto driver Gurudath while on duty have not been arrested.”
Auto Unit of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Minority Autorickshaw Owners-drivers association, HMS Auto Union and DK Auto Owners-drivers association participated in the protest.