Taxi drivers hurt in lathi-charge at TTD

TIRUPATI: Several taxi drivers were injured in lathi-charge by Seema Suraksha Bal personnel when about 400 taxi drivers laid siege to the TTD Administrative Office building here on Thursday and tried to force their way into the compound shouting slogans in protest against the TTD’s decision to impose restrictions on the plying of taxis on the ghat road in order to check pollution.Three of the injured were rushed to the SV Ruia Hospital for treatment. Later, police, cordoned of entire area, restricting public movement. The TTD, with a view to ensuring free movement of pilgrims andreducing the levels of pollution, has made pollution check mandatory for all private vehicles plying between Alipiri and Tirumala, decided to set up a pre-paid taxi point and restrict the movement of taxis to and from Tirumala. Accordingly, taxis have to stop near PAC 3 at GN toll gate at the entrance to Tirumala.Taxi operators contend that the decision severely limits their passenger intake and affects their livelihood, and wants the TTD to withdraw its decision.To press their demand, they staged a massive demonstration at the Alipiri toll gate on Wedensday. As police tried to reason with them, a young taxi driver even attempted suicide. The incident provoked other drivers to pelt RTC buses with stones.Following Thursday’s lathicharge, 90 percent of the taxi operators went on strike, causing hardships to pilgrims.