Police should ensure there is no violence by strikers: Gopal Rai

NEW DELHI: Delhi Transport minister Gopal Rai has urged the Lt Governor to direct police to prevent any untoward incident during the proposed strike by auto and taxi unions on Monday in protest against app-based cab operators, even as eight unions which met him today "distanced" themselves from the stir.

Rai also met senior police and transport department officials for discussing necessary arrangements to tackle any problems arising out of the strike on Monday when only even numbered vehicles, barring exempted categories, will be on the roads.

In his letter to Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, Rai alleged that "auto, taxi unions of RSS and BJP have announced to go on strike on April 18. Several auto union representatives who met me have distanced themselves from the strike while expressing fears of violence and sabotage by the striking unions."

Pointing that incidents of attack on auto drivers and damage to their vehicles were reported during the previous strike, the minister urged Jung to direct police to ensure safety of drivers of autos and taxis not taking part in the strike.

"Representatives of eight auto and taxi unions including Aam Admi Auto Sangh, All Delhi Auto Taxi Transport Congress Union, Bhartiya Tipahiya Chalak Sangh, Taxi Autorickshaw Drivers Sangharsh Samiti, today met the minister and cleared that they are not participating in the strike on Monday," said a senior government official.

A section of auto and taxi unions including Delhi Autorickshaw Sangh and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Unions have given a call for strike on Monday to protest against app-based cab services, a move which may cause hardship to commuters in the national capital, where the second phase of odd-even scheme is in operation.

Rai also met senior Delhi Police officials SK Gautam, Special Commissioner (Law and Order) and Joint Commissioner (Traffic) AK Ojha and asked them to deploy more men at places like railway stations and hospitals so that auto and taxi drivers could work freely, he said.

Transport department officials have also been directed by the minister to ensure more buses are pressed into service at New Delhi railway station, hospitals and other places so that people face no problem due to the strike, added the official.