WB: Toto drivers' protest against police turns violent in Howrah, 2 detained
According to reports, protesting against alleged harassment by traffic police, hundreds of Toto drivers and their family members gheraoed Shibpur Police Station and blocked Grand Trunk (G.T.) Road, which had disrupted traffic for hours.
A huge police force along with Rapid Action Force (RAF) rushed to the spot and when they tried to lift the road blockade and gherao, protesters turned violent and engaged in a clash with policemen.
They allegedly vandalized a public bus, which was standing there due to road blockade.
Later police restored to lathicharge to disperse demonstrators from the area and detained at least two protesters.
"Howrah City Traffic Police were conducting drive against Totos, without valid licenses, and fined several illegal e-rickshaws on G. T. Road," a senior official of Howrah City Police told IBNS.
"To prevent us from detaining illegal Totos, few drivers held the demonstration. But our drive will be continued as usual," the officer added.
A heavy police force have been deployed to the spot to keep the situation under control.
Till the latest update came in, traffic on G. T. Road is becoming normal slowly.
(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)
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