Hundreds of autorickshaw drivers were detained after launching a strike against bike taxis.
Story so far: Bengaluru’s autorickshaw drivers have been on strike to demand that the government ban bike taxis. Amidst this, the police detained several autorickshaw drivers at the City Armed Reserve Headquarters ground.
- The number of detainees remains contested. The General Secretary of Adarsha Auto and Taxi Drivers Union said that 300 drivers near the railway station were detained.
- The union’s president alleges that the police detained 500 drivers near the railway station. He said that the total number of detainees across the city is 2,000.
Why it matters? The autorickshaw unions argue that bike taxis have been operating unlawfully in the city. It diminishes the former’s earnings. Union leaders have attempted to prevent all autorickshaw drivers from running during their strike.