Auto driver slaps woman passenger

KOLKATA: Despite a strict directive from transport minister Madan Mitra, it seems little can change the ways the auto drivers operate in this city. In another incident of driver excess - this time in the Behala area - an auto driver has been accused of slapping a lady passenger after an argument over fare. The victim, a resident of Sarsuna under Thakurpukur police station area, was taken to the M R Bangur Hospital. It is being ascertained if the woman needs medical attention.

According to police, the incident was reported from the Taratala crossing. "The victim had boarded the auto from Behala Chowrasta and was to come to Taratala where the auto route terminates. When the woman got off, she handed a currency note worth Rs 50 and asked for the driver to return the rest of the money after keeping the fare. The two got involved in an argument after the auto driver suggested she leave the rest of the money with him. A few minutes in to the argument, the accused driver Akhil Jana punched the woman and escaped. The woman rushed to the nearby traffic guard and lodged her complaint.

Jana was picked up from the Sonarpur area in south 24 Parganas. The police have slapped charges under IPC sections relating to molestation, extortion and hurt. "We have taken the case seriously. We will ensure that passengers cannot be taken for a ride by the auto drivers," said a senior police officer.

It was just two days ago that a passenger was slapped up another auto driver in the Salt Lake stadium area. The passengers, on the other hand, say that unless a rational fare structure is accepted by all stakeholders involved, the auto drivers will continue to charge fares on their own will. In a reminder of how far some of these drivers can go, a 27-year-old woman had alleged before the Bidhan Nagar police last Thursday that she was physically attacked by an auto driver when she had refused to pay Rs 20 for a ride between SDF in Sector V and the City Centre.

Whether it was the CPM or now the TMC, they have raised such a monster, a Frankenstein. that they are not able to control them.

I agree, they are poor people and the auto is a source of their income but they should be made to follow rules.

The government should take action before the public become infuriated and take the law into their hands.

The government should then not blame the public.