Bengaluru
In the wake of the bandh called by commercial transport operators, including auto-rickshaw and cab drivers, the Bengaluru police have urged citizens to report cases of vehicle attacks. The bandh, which took place on Monday, led to several incidents of violence against private commercial vehicles across the city. The police have taken decisive action, registering three cases in response to attacks on private commercial vehicles. In one instance, three individuals were apprehended for pelting stones at an auto-rickshaw in SJ Park. Another arrest involved Vijay Kumar, who was accused of throwing stones at a cab in Chikkajala. The Kumaraswamy Layout police arrested cab driver Suresh, alleging that he incited his associates to pelt eggs at a cab owned by the private company he worked for. However, in a separate incident, an auto-rickshaw driver from Bengaluru South division was warned by the police after he damaged his own vehicle and falsely claimed to be a victim of an attack. Disturbing reports emerged of auto drivers attacking Rapido bike riders in various parts of the city. A group of auto drivers assaulted a bike taxi rider near Bommanahalli, with video footage capturing the incident. In another incident on the Sangolli Rayanna Flyover, a Rapido rider transporting a passenger was targeted. The protesters issued warnings to the passenger and physically confronted the driver, as seen in a viral video. Additionally, a cab driver near Maurya Circle fell victim to the protests, with footage showing him pleading with the demonstrators to allow him to continue his journey. The bandh, organized by private commercial vehicle operators, sought government intervention to address their demands. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy intervened in the afternoon and pledged to address some of the protesters’ concerns, leading to the calling off of the bandh.
