THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
A group of tourist taxi drivers gathered at the Mapusa police station late Tuesday evening, demanding action against a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) who is accused of having assaulted one of their drivers at the Peddem junction.
The incident followed an accident involving taxi driver Sitaram Vagelekar, who claims the PSI abused and assaulted him. According to Vagelekar, the PSI asked for identification after the accident and threatened arrest when he failed to comply.
The PSI allegedly pushed Vagelekar into a police vehicle and brought him to the station.
The taxi drivers accused the officer of not wearing his uniform and demanded an alcohol test, which later came out negative.
Tensions escalated as taxi drivers from Mopa and nearby areas gathered at the police station, calling for the PSI’s suspension and an apology.
However, the police refused to issue an apology, asking Vagelekar to submit a formal complaint instead. The President of the Taxi Owners Association, Chetan Kamat, expressed concerns over the growing hostility between police and taxi drivers.
"We will not tolerate this targeting of taxi drivers. The PSI must be suspended," Kamat said. Late night, Vagelekar submitted a written complaint, calling for strict action against the officer involved.
