Bhubaneswar: A protest by online cab and bike-taxi drivers in Bhubaneswar turned violent on Wednesday as the agitators allegedly clashed and pelted stones at police personnel.
They also reportedly damaged an Ama Bus during their protest at Lower PMG and Master Canteen Square in the capital city as their stir entered its third day. The agitators are demanding better earnings, regulation of online taxi fares and social security benefits.
Following violence, over 35 people were detained and several vehicles seized by the police. Mild force was reportedly used by the police to control the situation.
The protesting drivers, associated with ride-hailing platforms like Ola, Uber and Rapido, gathered along Mahatma Gandhi Marg and intensified their agitation over a seven-point charter of demands. Hundreds of cabs, auto-rickshaws and bikes were seen parked along the road as protesters raised slogans in support of their demands.
Tension escalated when some protesters clashed with police and threw stones at them. An Ama Bus passing through the area was also attacked with stones and damaged. A police vehicle was damaged as well.
The agitation also led to a road blockade near Master Canteen Square, affecting traffic movement and causing inconvenience to commuters. Police deployed additional personnel and put traffic diversions in place at several locations, including Vani Vihar, Rajmahal Square and Ram Mandir Square, to facilitate the movement of vehicles.
Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena said the situation was under control and police had cleared the roads on both sides of Master Canteen Square.
He said more than 35 people had been detained during the police action and some of them were arrested and forwarded to court. Police also seized vehicles belonging to protesters that were found parked along Mahatma Gandhi Marg.
Stating that the protesters had permission to stage a demonstration at Lower PMG for one day on August 17, the DCP said the agitators returned on Wednesday and blocked the road near Master Canteen Square.
Police said action was taken to clear the road and restore normal traffic movement. The DCP said those detained had been booked under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act, wherever applicable.
The protest has disrupted app-based transport services across Bhubaneswar, leaving commuters struggling to find affordable and convenient modes of transportation.
The drivers have been demanding measures related to their seven-point charter and have intensified their agitation over the past three days. Hundreds of auto-rickshaws and other vehicles were seen parked along Mahatma Gandhi Marg during the protest.
The Ola, Uber, Rapido drivers are demanding government regulation of fares charged by online taxi services and a fixed fare structure for passengers. They demanded a fare of Rs 12 per kilometre during the day and Rs 15 per kilometre at night.
This apart, the drivers demanded an increase in fares whenever fuel prices rise. They also sought peak-hour and weekend bonuses, compensation for long-distance pickups and higher charges for waiting time.
The union said these measures are necessary to address the concerns of drivers providing services through online platforms.