Summer heat hit boiling point.
AB Wire
NEW DELHI: Commuters in Delhi were hard hit by the sudden strike of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) workers after one of its drivers was killed in a road-rage incident.
The unexpected strike by DTC workers, asking the authorities to provide more security to drivers, resulted in commuters relying on other means of transports available in the city. Rickshawalas were hard to get, and the metro became unusually busy. Thousands of passengers were seen waiting across Delhi, anticipating buses to return to normal schedule.
Ashok Kumar, a 42-year-old DTC bus driver, was beaten to death by a motor cyclist named Vijay in broad day light on Sunday after the bus that Ashok was driving hit his bike, causing his mother who was in the pillion to fall down.
Vijay stopped the bus in the middle of the road and entered with his helmet in hand and started hitting Ashok with it on the head. He also used the fire extinguisher inside the bus to attack Ashok, who was later dragged out and beaten until he fell unconscious. Vijay and his mother were arrested on Sunday night and today morning, respectively. Vijay’s mother has been charged for allegedly provoking him throughout the attack.
Gaurav Saraswat, president of Delhi Parivahan Karamchari Yuva Sangathan was quoted by The Indian Express saying, “We demand better security for DTC’s drivers and conductors as they have to deal with different kind of people. Besides, they run buses till late in the night. Cases of attack against drivers and conductors are increasing and the government should deploy a security guard inside the buses.”
The DTC workers association also demanded the government to increase the compensation amount extended to the family of the deceased from a mere 5 lakh to 1 Crore.
In yet another deplorable case of road rage that has allegations of corruption too, a Delhi Police head constable, Satish Chand, was on Monday dismissed from service and a criminal case filed against him after a video of him attacking a woman with a brick in the posh Golf Link area of central Delhi went viral, reported The Hindustan Times.
The victim, who was riding a two-wheeler, alleged that Chand demanded a bribe accusing her of violating traffic rules. She alleged that her small child was also abused by the cop. She said that following an argument, the cop picked up a brick and attacked her.
“On behalf of myself and Delhi Police, I want to express my regret. We will investigate the matter,” said Delhi Police commissioner BS Bassi.
The victim alleged that Chand accused her of violating traffic norms and started abusing her after she refused to pay bribe, insisting that a receipt of the fine he was demanding be issued to her.
The woman also alleged that her two-wheeler was damaged in the incident. Kamal Kant, who recorded the video of the incident, said the woman “told me that traffic cop stopped her as she crossed red light and asked for Rs 200 as penalty.”
Delhi home minister Satyendra Jain said, “We shall look into the case, whatever needs to be done will be carried out.”