Taximen clash at Dabolim, one injured

the goan I networkrPanajirrAccording to Dabolim Airport police, the incident occurred at about 1.30 am among two groups of taxi operators, both of which are not affiliated to the official taxi association at Dabolim airport. rPolice said two taxi operators, Amit Gaude and Vikas, got into an altercation over soliciting passengers arriving from the airport. rAnother taxi operator, Surendra Naik, came in support of Amit, and the duo began assaulting Vikas. rA taxi operator, Rizwan Shaikh, noticed the incident, and being an acquaintance to the three brawling taximen, tried to intervene and resolve the issue. Surendra and Amit, however, assaulted Rizwan with a bottle, causing him head injuries, before fleeing from the site. rRizwan was shifted to the GMC hospital and later discharged after medical treatment. rDabolim Airport police later arrested Amit and Surendra under Sections 324, 504, r/w 34 IPC. rAccording to sources, unauthorised taxi operators thrive on business when there is a huge rush of passengers and the available taxis at Dabolim airport are unable to cater to the demand. rThese unauthorised taxi operators also primarily operate at night, when most official taxi operators are at home. These operators have no fixed rates and often levy charges lower than those notified at the official taxi stand outside the airport. rConcerns have been raised over the safety and security of passengers, especially since these taxi operators are not affiliated to the official taxi association at Dabolim airport, making it difficult to monitor these taxis plying along isolated routes after midnight.