TIRUPATI: Taxi operators and drivers staged a massive dharna near the Alipiri toll gate here on Wednesday denouncing traffic regulations imposed by the TTD authorities against the movement of taxis on the ghat road.Hundreds of taxi drivers squatted at Garuda statue near the toll gate after parking their vehicles on the road and raised slogans demanding the TTD to withdraw all traffic regulations against taxis. This paralysed vehicular movement on either side of the road for sometime.Later, the Alipiri police led by circle inspector Katamaraju rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the taxi drivers but to no avail as the agitators demanded an assurance from TTD officials for conceding their demands.The police resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse the mob. A taxi driver Dinesh attempted suicide by slitting his throat. The enraged protestors hurled stones at RTC buses. Police took the agitators into custody.The TTD had recently passed resolutions, including setting up of prepaid taxi counter on the hills. TTD had also imposed restrictions on movement of private taxis on the first ghat road, where a two-way movement of vehicles was being permitted during the day.Taxi operators and drivers threatened to intensify their agitation.
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