Siliguri, 09th May: Small commercial vehicle drivers in Siliguri staged a protest today at Indira Gandhi Maidan, accusing traffic police and Motor Vehicle Inspections (MVI) officials of harassment. The drivers alleged that they were being charged exorbitant amounts of 40 to 50 thousand rupees in fines if they refused to pay the bribes demanded by the authorities.
Consequently, they are struggling to sustain their livelihoods. The drivers claimed that they were being stopped without any valid reason and then being coerced into paying bribes. They further added that if they do not comply, they are charged with violations like overloading and reckless driving and hefty fines are levied on them. Fed up with this injustice, the drivers halted their operations today and conducted protest demonstrations.
During the demonstration, the drivers demanded that the traffic police and MVI officials refrain from harassing them and provide concessions to small commercial vehicle drivers. They urged the authorities to address their concerns and work towards a fair and equitable system for all drivers.