AGARTALA, August 22 (TIWN): The student of Tripura University, Meenakshi Debnath who was allegedly assaulted by an auto driver at Battala, along with SFI placed deputation to Police SP Bijoy Nag on Saturday demanding strict action against the unruly auto driver Liton Sil.

Alleging negligence of the women police of west women police station, Meenakshi on Saturday met SP Bijoy Nag and demanded strict action the accused Liton Sil.

A girl student of Tripura University was allegedly misbehaved and abused by an auto driver following a heated conversation between the commuter and driver over change and extra fare at Battala on Friday. Minakshi Debnath is a student of Tripura University, is a resident of a rented house in Panchabati area of Nutan Nagar adjacent to cooperative.

After being assaulted by the auto driver the girl knocked the door west women Police station where allegedly she was threatened buy the OC i/c denied to file a complaint and asked to do a mutual understating between both of them.

Instead of standing along with the victim, police asked her to remain silent over the issue and suggested to hush up the matter with mutual understanding. Question arises with the role of the police in our society.

In a broad day light a girl is being brutally harassed by auto driver and police is playing the role of a silent spectator.

However, SP Bijoy Nag assured to look into the matter and take necessary step against the accused if found guilty.

Reportedly, the heated conversation began after the auto driver allegedly harassed her taking for long time for giving change of Rs. 5. She boarded in the auto bearing number TR01-A-2538 from Panchabati area to go to Tripura University via Battala.

After the student dropped at Battala, the auto driver charged Rs. 15 from her while the actual fare is Rs. 13. Subsequently, she agreed and paid the amount to the auto driver. She was supposed to get change of Rs. 5 from the auto driver. But the auto driver replied that no currency of Rs. 5 was available with him. As a result, an argument was adopted in between the auto driver and the student.

The localites also alleged that Even, the auto driver attempted to slap the girl. In her defence she also hit him and ran to police station.

It is worthy to mention here; though, a section of unruly auto drivers backed by CITU is still engaged in picking the pocket of regular passengers by charging excrescent fare, the concerned authority remained mum over the issue.

Overloading of passengers, charging extra fares, misbehaving with the commuters, is all that happening in and around the state.

Several auto drivers carry four to six passengers on sharing system to earn more money. However, it is against the law and also hazardous but no action.

Even, the recently fixed point-to-point auto-rickshaw fare chart has brought no change to the unruly auto drivers across the capital city with the drivers charging high fares.