Jamshedpur, Aug. 5 : Auto-rickshaw operators went on strike protesting highhandedness of Railway Protection Force ( RPF) on Sunday. Passengers either opted for private Ola cars or asked their relatives and friends to pick them up from the station.
” We were was not aware of the strike. After reaching Tatanagar by Jan Shatabdi Express, we came out of the station looking for an auto. I had no choice but to call my son,� said a passenger. Another women passenger, who arrived here by Ispat Express was in for a surprise when she came to know about the auto strike.
Over 200 auto-rickshaws which operate from the station were on strike over last night’s RPF action.
“We are the easy target. RPF jawans last night prevented us from entering the platforms to take passengers. We have been following this practice for many years now,” pointed out, an auto-rickshaw operator.
Railway sources said as a new initiative RPF prevented the autorickshaw operators from entering the platforms. ” The auto drivers at times create nuisance asking for passngers while entering the platforms,” said a source.
When contacted RPF inspector at Tatanagar M K Singh said that they took a decision not to allow the auto-rickshaw operators on platforms as it irritate passengers.
Tatanagar railway station witnesses a daily traffic of over 90- mail, express and passenger trains which either originate from Tatanagar of go via that station. The daily passenger footfall is close to 50,000.
