Mumbai taximen threaten to go on strike

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Unsuspecting targets of mob attack, Mumbai's taximen have now threatened to strike work. The regional clashes in the last two days saw many taxidrivers targeted. They have demanded stringent action against the culprits and compensation from the state government, reports CNBC-TV18's Prachi Jatania.

 

Laldhari, a taxidreiver, was thrashed and beaten up when party workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena dragged him out and damaged his taxi near Dadar. Mobs went on a rampage as they attacked North Indians and vandalised several taxis in a regional flare-up in parts of Mumbai..

 

"It is scary. If I go there, they will beat me again," said Laldhari.

 

Prahlad Singh's badly mangled taxi was caught in a crossfire when MNS and Samajwadi Party workers clashed at a rally on Sunday. Dozens of taxi drivers are now up in arms for being targeted and say the incident has left them resentful.

 

"We serve everyone and work 24 hours. Why do they take it out on us?" asked Prahlad Singh.

 

Angry over the mob attacks, Mumbai taximen have warned that if the culprits are not punished, the taxi meters will not go down.

 

Over 50,000 black and yellow taxis could be off the roads as a show of solidarity for the attacks on taxidrivers.

 

"We will strike if the government does not take action," said A L Quadros , General Secretary, Mumbai Taxi Union .

 

Even as Mumbai with its melting pot of cultures gets back to its usual pace, these taximen have a strong message for our politicians.

 

"We know that all this is just politics. I understand it all," said Samar Yadav, Taxi Driver.

 

So, till the issue is resolved between the two warring parties, it is these innocent men who will continue to bear the brunt for being the most visible face of the North Indian community.