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Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 4 (IANS) The Kerala government has initiated strict action after three taxi drivers in Munnar allegedly harassed a female tourist from Mumbai for using an online cab service.
Following widespread public outrage and viral social media posts by the victim, Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar on Tuesday ordered immediate cancellation of licenses of the three drivers arrested in the case.
“The licenses of the drivers involved will be canceled without any delay. This kind of hooliganism cannot be tolerated in a progressive state like Kerala,” the minister said.
He said the government stands with law-abiding employees, including online cabbies, but will take strict action against anyone indulging in bullying or illegal activities.
He commented, “Uber is not banned in Kerala or anywhere in India. The issue in Munnar was not about livelihoods, it was about anarchy.”
The victim, identified as Jhanvi, an assistant professor from Mumbai, has shared a video on social media describing how she and her friends were threatened by a group of local taxi drivers during a trip to Munnar in the last week of October.
The group, which had traveled from Kochi and Alappuzha using online taxis, was stopped by unionized local drivers claiming that online cabs are not allowed in Munnar.
When Jhanvi sought help from the police, she alleged that the officers also sided with the drivers instead of intervening.
After his post went viral, the government immediately reacted. Tourism Minister PA Mohammed Riyas intervened, leading to immediate departmental action.
Two police officers – grade sub-inspector George Kurian and assistant sub-inspector Saju Paulose – were suspended for failing to assist the tourist and allegedly supporting local drivers.
Three taxi drivers, P. Vijayakumar (40), K. Vinayakan, and A. Anish Kumar (40) was arrested on charges of wrongful restraint and criminal intimidation, but was later released on station bail.
On the instructions of the Minister, the Transport Department has started the process of canceling the licenses of the drivers. Ganesh Kumar warned that similar incidents in the future would have serious consequences, adding, “No one will be allowed to damage the image of Kerala as a safe and welcoming tourist destination”.
–IANS
SG/DPB