The Hindu

Mangalore, Nov 22: Members of the Dakshina Kannada Auto Drivers’ Association have sought an end to the alleged harassment of autorickshaw drivers by the police and the regional transport authorities. The association is affiliated to the left-wing Centre for Indian Trade Unions.

The drivers belonging to the association staged a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Thursday as part of a State-wide autorickshaw drivers’ agitation, called by the CITU. B. Vishnumurthy, president of the association, said that the official corruption and red-tape was driving the autorickshaw drivers to despair.

In a memorandum to the State Government submitted through the Deputy Commissioner, the organisation demanded that strict action be initiated against “errant officers” and definitive measures taken to promote transparency.

The memorandum highlighted the poor condition of the roads in the city. the organisation has urged the authorities to repair the roads immediately as their current condition had rendered the profession unviable.