Auto rickshaw driver in Udupi assaulted by member of another union after fight over fare hike
Udupi: An auto rickshaw driver sustained serious injuries as other drivers assaulted him following a fight during a meeting of an auto rickshaw drivers’ union regarding hike in fare in Udupi town.
The injured driver, Prasad, who was attacked at the parking slot near the Big Bazaar outlet, is being treated at the Ajjarakadu Government Hospital and is learned to be out of danger.
Members of the union, who have alleged that one Raghu and his associates, belonging to another auto rickshaw drivers’ union, had attacked Prasad, gathered outside the government hospital and demanded justice for the injured driver.
The protesters have said that the local police have been alerted regarding the incident.
They said that they are prevented from running their vehicles inside Udupi town, which has five auto rickshaw drivers’ unions. Although the union members function by themselves, the drivers are being oppressed they said, adding that earlier too there were cases of attack on the drivers. They pointed out that they were under attack in spite of being permitted by the Police Department and the City Municipality to run auto rickshaws.
Stressing on their demand for justice, the drivers expressed disappointment in the local legislators and other elected leaders, stating that the representatives had not helped them in spite of being informed of the drivers’ problems.
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Karnataka: Home Department asks motorists to drive on highways with caution to avoid robbery
Belagavi: The Home Department has advised motorists to stay alert while travelling on national and state highways, warning that gangs involved in robbery and extortion have been active in several stretches. It said people should be extra cautious if anyone tries to stop their vehicle in isolated areas.
Replying to an unstarred question on Thursday, the department said Karnataka has recorded 403 highway robbery cases in the past three years. According to the data, national highways saw 81 extortion and 23 robbery cases in 2023, followed by 66 extortion and 16 robbery cases in 2024. Until November 15 this year, 51 extortion and 14 robbery cases have been reported.
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On state highways, 39 extortion and 17 robberies were reported in 2023, while 2024 saw 35 extortion and 22 robbery cases. In 2025 so far, 20 extortion and 19 robbery cases have taken place. The department noted that curbing highway robberies remains a major challenge for the police.
To tackle the issue, police stations have been directed to set up regular checkpoints on stretches of highways passing through their limits. Suspicious individuals and vehicles are being checked. Two-wheelers have been allocated to every station for night patrol, and staff have been instructed to conduct night rounds using vehicles fitted with sirens and red lights.
