Taxi drivers from Sikkim filed a complaint with the New Jalpaiguri (NJP) police station on Tuesday, protesting against the alleged harassment and assault of their members in the area.
The drivers' association claims that a group of local criminals is extorting money from the drivers. The association also met with the NJP taxi drivers' group to discuss the issue.
Swaroj Timsina, president of the All Sikkim Voice of Chalak, an umbrella organisation for taxi drivers in Sikkim, shared that a taxi driver from Sikkim was harassed at NJP while picking up a passenger from a hotel on Sunday.
Timsina, along with around 400 other drivers, explained that despite the driver paying the criminals, his car keys were taken.
"We want the police to arrest those extorting money and harassing our drivers. We also spoke with the taxi operators in NJP and asked them to take action if any of their members are involved in such illegal activities," Timsina said.
His association has more than 9,000 members across Sikkim.
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After the incident on Sunday, people in the tourism sector raised concerns. Representatives from the Himalayan Hospitality & Tourism Development Network reported the issue to the NJP police station and informed the commissioner of the Siliguri Metropolitan Police.
Sujay Sarkar, an Inttuc leader from NJP, also called for strict action against those making money by intimidating taxi drivers.
“We strongly condemn this incident and hope the police take necessary action,” Sarkar said.
He added, “I will arrange a meeting with the drivers' association in NJP. If anyone from our group is found involved in such activities, we will take strong action.”
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