Demanding legal action against unauthorised motor vans, Hemtabad Auto and Trekkers Owners’ Association has started an indefinite strike since Monday in the areas of Hemtabad police station in North Dinajpur district.
Buses, trekkers and auto rickshaws stayed off the roads in the past three days. Commuters including high school students are facing a lot of inconvenience due to the strike. No measures have yet been taken by the administration regarding the matter.
Mr Tapan Biswas, secretary of Hemtabad auto and trekkers owners association said: “The number of motor vans is increasing day by day in Hemtabad. They are neither registered by district motor vehicles department nor do they pay road tax to the government.
Even their vans are not insured. These motor vans are carrying passengers at low rates due to which our business is suffering extensively.
Our income has dropped so badly that we cannot even pay bank installment. Though recently the Calcutta High court directed the district administration to stop such illegal motor vans, police have been mute spectators over the matter. If police fail to arrest the drivers of these motor vans and seize their vans, we will start vigorous movement throughout the district.
Mr Purnendu Kundu, OC Hemtabad police station said: “We have started raids against unauthorised motor vans.
But they have gone into hiding apprehending the situation. However, we will start extensive raid after gram panchyat elections.