Autorickshaw men fight it out; 5 hurt

The dispute arose after a six-seater autorickshaw had a mechanical breakdown leading to a severe traffic disruption during the peak hours around 4.30 pm. The drivers of the three-seater autorickshaws who were waiting at the stand had an heated exchange with the driver. The driver was allegedly beaten up after which the dispute turned violent. The driver who was beaten up returned again and in a retaliatory action assaulted some of the drivers waiting at the stand. This led to the clash between the two groups.

According to the information provided by the police, the clash had nothing to do with any professional rivalry or dispute between the two unions of the autorickshaws. The clash began after the six-seater driver whose vehicle was stranded in the busy chowk allegedly abused two drivers who had come forward to lend their help. The six-seater driver was in an ineberiated condition, it was alleged.

Police said that a misunderstanding between the two groups of drivers led to the violent clash. A three-seater autorickshaw was overturned by irate drivers of the six-seater autorickshaws. The police immediately rushed to the chowk and brought the situation under control.

Five drivers who were injured in the incident were being treated at the Yeshwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital.

Meanwhile, the two groups of the drivers had reportedly decided to make a compromise and not lodge any complaint. However, the Pimpri police said late in the evening that complaint would be lodged by them and action against the drivers will follow.

Disputes between the drivers of three-seater and six-seater autorickshaws in Pimpri-Chinchwad have been occuring with regularity at various places over the issue of carrying of passengers. The disputes however had not assumed violent proportions as that occurred today.