Auto rickshaws off road in protest against restricted movement

Special Correspondent

SILCHAR, Sept 16: The decision of the district administration of Cachar to limit the jurisdiction of plying of auto rickshaws within the municipal areas has been opposed by the Rongpur Auto Owners and Drivers Association. As a mark of protest, auto rickshaws today did not ply in the town and its adjoining areas. The plying of auto rickshaws from the rural areas in the town has created serious traffic jam. In order to ease it, the movement of the auto rickshaws of the town has been limited within the town areas. Those from the rural areas will ply their autos in their own places.

 The civil society has been happy with the arrangement and for the last few days, there has been no serious traffic bottleneck. The voices of protest have come from Soi area. Two days ago, Soi Auto Rickshaw Owners Association held protest demonstration before the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, demanding review of the decision and allow them to ply in the town. In the same pattern Rongpur association of the auto rickshaws demonstrated before the DC office today, demanding they be allowed to ply in the town, extending their area from Rongpur to Devdoot point.

 Rongpur Association submitted a 6 point charter of demands to the Deputy Commissioner and pointed out their difficulties. The president and the members of the Association in the memorandum alleged that on the plea of restricted entry, police personnel are harassing even those auto rickshaws who take seriously ill patients from Rongpur to civil hospital and private nursing homes. Students attending schools and colleges coming by the three wheelers are also subjected to detention on the way.

 As the auto owners of Rongpur for under ward no. 5 of the municipal board of Silchar, the Association has demanded that passenger autos should be allowed to travel up to Metro Bazar point after thorough scrutiny of documents of the vehicles. They should also be permitted to move up to Capital point. Besides, passenger autos should be provided with a separate permit with government seal and sigture of proper authorized persons in order to easily identify them. Private ambassador cars are to be kept outside the Silchar town. Udharbond bus stand is to be removed immediately from the entry point of Barak bridge.

 Lastly, the Association has also demanded reshuffling and conversion of vehicle permit from Udharbond to Silchar. The Deputy Commissioner has been urged upon to make necessary arrangement and to take steps in order to intimate the Association the permission demanded and the fulfillment the demands raised. The prohibitory orders on auto passengers from entering the town area from Rongpur be withdrawn. If the demands are not met, they will have no option than to go for 15 days strike. It is their firm belief and hope that the Deputy Commissioner would take their representation with the seriousness it deserves.

 The Deputy Commissioner after listening to the president and members of the Association said that the decision on restricted entry and movement of auto rickshaws from the rural areas has been taken by the traffic branch and the DTO. He will forward the representation to the departments concerned for review or reshuffling of the decision. He has nothing to say or take action in this regard. After three days, the Association will be informed of the decision taken.