Taxi operators stage demonstration against police harassment

Kolkata: Taxi operators staged demonstration against police harassment at Howrah Station on Monday.

"Today, we staged a demonstration at the entrance of Howrah station to protest against police atrocities. The police harassment in Howrah has increased a lot. On October 26, a taxi driver was brutally beaten up by a police surgeon in Howrah. No action was taken against the police officer. He was beaten up without any reason. That is why we have decided to demonstration at Howrah station," said Nawal Kishore Shrivastav, president of Kolkata Taxi Operators' Union.

He also threatened that meter taxis will stop plying from November 15 if no action is taken against the errant police official.

"Nearly 12,000 meter taxis cater to the passengers at Howrah station every day. None of meters will ply in and across Howrah," Nawal said.

Meanwhile, Bengal Taxi Association had also decided to stop plying of taxis to protest against the illegal plying of bike taxis from November 15.

"The members of Bengal Taxi Association, Calcutta Taxi Association, West Bengal Drivers' Welfare Association and West Bengal Taxi Workers' Union conducted a meeting on November 7. We have decided not to run meter taxis from November 15. This is to protest against the illegal plying of bike taxis," said Bimal Kumar Guha, general secretary of Bengal Taxi Association.