Bengaluru
The Bengaluru bandh, organized by approximately 32 unions representing autorickshaw drivers and private transporters on Monday, witnessed a series of distressing incidents involving harassment and attacks on taxi and auto drivers, as well as bike taxi riders. The protesting transport unions resorted to forcibly stopping autorickshaws and taxis in operation, leading to acts of vandalism such as deflating tires, slashing the tire of a Toyota Innova taxi, and pelting eggs at taxi drivers and their vehicles. Despite the disruptions and confrontations, the bandh was eventually called off following a meeting with Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy. Nevertheless, the day saw a total of 13 cases being registered by the police, with 12 individuals arrested for violations committed during the protest. The registered cases are distributed as follows: one case in the central division, one in the southeast division, two in the north division, two in the north-east division, and seven in the west division. The 12 individuals taken into custody were questioned by law enforcement authorities. Private transporters indicated that they temporarily suspended the protest after receiving assurances from Minister Ramalinga Reddy regarding the fulfillment of their demands. This episode highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the transportation sector in the city and underscores the need for peaceful and constructive dialogue to address these concerns.
