Auto unions want GO 108 to go

Khammam: Protesting against the harassment meted out to them by police as well as the existent GO 108, the drivers of nearly 30,000 autos in the district withdrew their vehicles from the roads here on Thursday. AITUC Joint Secretary, Mohd. Jakiruddin, said that the autos would continue to remain off the roads on Friday too.

The existing GO 108 would impair their living conditions further, decried Jakiruddin. The GO has come at a time when the autos are already reeling under the effect of the rise in the cost of essential commodities, said Akbar, a fellow auto driver who addressed the press conference.

Adding to their woes, the police are fleecing the auto drivers thousands of rupees in the name of penalties, he said. The day’s hard earned money is going into the hands of police in the form of fines, said the auto JAC leaders. Further, cases are filed against them in the court, said the auto union leaders. They demand the government to take steps to withdraw the GO 108 immediately and put an end to the police harassment.