Clerk beaten up,RTO downs shutters

The RTO counters remained closed after 2 pm as a mark of protest against the assault on Dattatray Balwant Thorat (57).

An FIR was lodged against a political activist Eknath Dole under IPC Section 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty),352 (punishment for assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation),504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace),427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of Rs 50) and prevention of damage to public property Section 3.

“He wanted a company contract carriage permit but didn’t have the list of passengers. Hence,I could not issue the permit. When I said that he asked me to give it in writing. I did so but he got aggressive and started abusing me. He picked up the book of Motor Vehicle Act lying on the table and threw it on the glass table,breaking it. Then he started punching me in the face. His watch hit me and I got injured. He hit me so hard that my spectacles and his watch broke and fell on the table,” said Thorat.

“This is the first time in my 33-year career that such a thing has happened,” added Thorat,who has cut marks on his face.

“We have decided to continue the strike till the accused is not arrested. There needs to be increased security in the vicinity. We have been complaining to the police about rowdy behaviour of some people. People claiming to be from various political parties come and harass us. Even women are verbally harassed in various RTO offices. The workload has increased a 1,000 times whereas the manpower has failed to keep up,” said Sudhir Bodas,Chief Consultant of Maharashtra Motor Vahan Vibhag Karmachari Sanghatna. “If he is not arrested tomorrow,we will not resume work,” he added.

Arun Yeola,Regional Transport Officer,condemned the attack. “It is very hard to put a check on who is an agent and who is not. Around 5,000 people come here every day but only around 150 are there in the office. There is a huge load on us. We have sent a proposal to the government to give us private security but that has been pending for a year now. There is often pressure from social and political organisations on the staff.”

He further said,“There are three CCTV cameras in the office. Unfortunately,the permit section where this incident happened is not under CCTV surveillance. We are in the process of making a proposal for 16 more CCTVs.”