Terror of auto rickshaws in Kolkata – driver assaults passenger

This was yet another instance of an auto rickshaw driver who allegedly punched a passenger at Joramandir, off Baguiati – the driver demanded Rs 5 extra which the middle-aged passenger refused to pay because it was more than the prevalent fare.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 8 September 2015.

The gentleman had boarded the auto in Ultadanga and had got off at the last stop in Joramandir. In the scuffle that followed the altercation, he lost his gold chain. He has lodged a police complaint quoting the registration number of the rickshaw.
The auto rickshaw drivers in Kolkata have earned a bad name because of frequent instances of violence over petty matters like small change and dispute over fares.
In March, there was an assault by a driver on a passenger in Jadavpur – the victim had to be hospitalized. Earlier, in January 2014, a driver had attacked a woman passenger on the head with an iron rod in Park Circus due to a dispute over the fare. And, two months later, a 70-year-old passenger was allegedly abused and assaulted by a driver on the Garia-Tollygunge route over Rs 2.
These instances reveal the failure of the government to tackle the rogue drivers who usually enjoy patronage of political parties.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Role reversal in Delhi - woman passenger tries to seduce auto driver

Till now, there have been reports of auto or cab drivers who have tried to outrage the modesty of their women passengers and have succeeded at times. But, now here comes the story of a role reversal – a woman passenger tried to seduce an auto rickshaw driver in Delhi.
While the 32-year-old woman tried to seduce the 41-year-old driver, her roommate, a Tanzanian, tried to capture the action on video.
This has been reported in zeenews.india.com dated 16 July 2015.

The woman has been arrested by the police after an auto rickshaw driver lodged the complaint. He broke his legs while trying to escape from their clutches. A search of the room revealed the driving licenses of at least four other drivers!!
It seems she had hired the cab to travel from Saket in south Delhi to Arjun Nagar, located some seven kilometers away. Once they reached the destination, she invited the driver to her flat on the pretext of paying him. Once inside, she gave him water to drink and then, locked the doors from inside. After that she began her seduction.
Somehow, he managed to escape when she had gone to the next room with her friend – while escaping, he broke his leg.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Autorickshaws go off the roads in Mumbai – fight for survival against radio cabs

Over a million commuters, office-goers and students were inconvenienced in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane as around 20,000 autorickshaws went off the roads pressing for their demands to ban radio taxis and having a social welfare scheme.
The funniest part is that due to their strike, the radio cabs had a field day.
This has been reported in zeenews.com dated 17 June 2015.

Mumbai Autorickshawmens Union has blamed the government for the inconvenience to the citizens because it is now a matter of survival of the autorickshaw and those who drive them. The reason is that private taxis, tourist vehicles and call center cars have come into the field to transport the people to various areas in the suburbs. On top of that, other cabs like Ola cabs and Uber cabs ply beyond their jurisdiction which is also affecting the autorickshaw drivers.
Unless things are set right, there could be more such agitations in future.
Transport Minister of Maharashtra has indicated that the government has taken note of their demands and would consider them.
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Coin racket in Kolkata – man approaches banks to get Rs 50,000 in coins

A man has been trying to take large number of loose coins from banks – the police have arrested this man of Thakurpukur who tried to withdraw Rs 50,000 in coins. It seems he approached a bank and posed as an officer of RBI saying that he wanted to take stock of all coins in the possession of the bank. When the bank wanted proof of his identity, he changed his version and sad he was a researcher of coins.
His actions have made the police probe deep into his activities because, while the custody of the police, he is evading replies that would satisfy the police. This has led the police to suspect that some organized gang is behind such incidents, gangs that are associated with the smuggling of coins.
It seems loose coins ae at a premium in Kolkata. Five years ago bus operators used to pay premiums of Rs 2 to Rs 3 for every Rs 100. The rate has gone up to Rs 8 to Rs 10 now and, at times, they have to pay Rs 15 for every Rs 100. Shortage of loose change in the form of coins have led to innumerable incidents of refusals leading to quarrels, fights and violence between passengers and drivers of auto rickshaws – neither side wants to part with the loose change.
Incidentally, there have been allegations in the past that coins were being smuggled to Bangladesh where these are melted and converted to razor blades and ornaments.