Hyderabad: Auto drivers’ strike triggers skirmishes with passengers

An auto bandh called by the Informal Labourers and Workers Federation (ILWF) Drivers Bandh Association disrupted life across Hyderabad, with groups of auto-rickshaw drivers stopping vehicles and forcing passengers to alight.

Hyderabad: The auto bandh call given by the Informal Labourers and Workers Federation (ILWF) Drivers Bandh Association created chaos across several areas in the city.

Groups of auto rickshaw drivers were seen moving around in their vehicles, carrying sticks and stopping the autos plying on the road. The strike was not supported by several auto unions.

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At Chandrayangutta, near G Max Convention, a group of alleged auto drivers were seen stopping autos and forcing the passengers to get down from the vehicles. Several women and children faced problems. A couple of policemen who came to the spot could not do much as the protesters squatted and blocked the Chandrayangutta road.

At Engine Bowli, some persons claiming to be auto drivers were stopping autos and forcing women to get down. “My relative is admitted to a hospital, and I have to visit him. A few people who were apparently drunk stopped the auto and forced all women to get down,” complained Zainab, a woman passenger.

The situation was no different at Kalapathar, where a handful of people enforcing the bandh and armed with sticks were forcing vehicles and passengers to stop. Arguments broke out between the passengers and those enforcing the bandh.

Similar complaints came from Nawab Sahab Kunta, Aliabad, Charminar, Puranapul, Santoshnagar and Malakpet.

The TGSRTC buses were packed, and people were seen stranded at the bus stop until evening. “The government should take steps to provide alternatives to the people during the bandh. They cannot leave the people in distress. People opt for private transport due to convenience and emergencies. Hooligans cannot be allowed to move around attacking people,” complained Sharadha K, a resident of Gowlipura who was forced to get down from an auto at Charminar bus stand.

Parents faced problems as the auto drivers who dropped the children off at schools and colleges refused to pick them up in the evening.

“The auto drivers who dared to move around were stopped and beaten up at several places. To avoid bashing and damage to vehicles, drivers stayed away from the roads,” said Mohammed Tajuddin (name changed), an auto driver.