Shimla: Taxi operators met DC, SP in protest against the murder of the driver

Shimla: The All Himachal Commercial Vehicles Joint Action Committee today protested outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office here against the alleged killing of a taxi driver by tourists from Punjab and demanded action against the accused besides providing relief to the deceased’s family. The representatives of the association met Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap and Shimla Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Gandhi and submitted a memorandum regarding their demands. The association urged the administration to ensure safety of taxi trade workers. Committee Chairman Rajendra Thakur said, “There have been incidents of assault and misbehavior with taxi drivers and owners, which resulted in the tragic killing of the taxi owner, whose vehicle was taken to Punjab without any response from the administration, which shows their failure.” He said that on June 23, two tourists from Punjab had booked the taxi of a person named Hari Kishan. On June 24, the taxi owner, a resident of Shimla, left for Manali with the tourists and returned on June 25. During the visit to Punjab, the tourists allegedly attacked Hari Kishan and looted his vehicle and fled with his vehicle. Later, his body was found in Kiratpur, Punjab. The union members demanded the administration to take strict action against the attackers and provide relief to the victim’s family. The DC and SP assured the taxi union that prompt action would be taken to prevent such incidents in future.