Kochi: When Kochi city’s deputy police commissioner Mohammed Rafique and his men decided to take the auto drivers in the city to task for not switching on their meters, they knew it was going to be a tough task.
From January 19 to 26, the police booked 1,670 auto drivers for not running the meter. The drive also fetched Rs 1.67 lakh as compound fees. Annoyed by the intensity of the drive, auto drivers took to the streets to protest the action taken by the police.
Rafique wants the public to participate in the attempt to discipline erring auto drivers. “We are doing our duty. But the people should cooperate with us. If they see that the driver does not have a meter or has not turned it on, they should insist on it. If the driver still refuses, they can either call the police or send us a text message,” he said.
Auto drivers have found new ways to trick the public. They turn on the meter before picking up a passenger, but do not follow the fare on the meter at the end of the trip. If they are stopped by cops on the way, they show that the meter is ticking. But they will seek extra money from the passenger when he alights.
Rafique says the public must register complaints when this happens. “Remember to note down the key phone numbers of the police and alert us with the registration number and route of the auto rickshaw. We will catch them on the way and make sure they follow the rules,” the DCP said.
With the police showing willingness to ensure that the public gets justice, members of the public must do their bit if they want to stop the cheating by auto drivers.
