Maharashtra Transport Minister Diwakar Raote today asked officials to identify and take action against rogue autorickshaw drivers who reportedly fleeced helpless commuters affected by the violent agitation at Diva railway station.
"Eight teams have been formed to identify such drivers who charged exorbitant fare (by taking advantage of the situation). I also appeal to passengers to pass on information regarding such drivers to police," Raote said after visiting Diva and Dombivali railway stations.
Local train services on Central and Harbour lines were thrown out of gear yesterday after daily commuters who were stranded at Diva station, went on a rampage over non-availability of services in the morning peak hours.
They had ransacked ticket booking windows, ticket vending machines and also torched some police vehicles, forcing police to cane charge them.
At least two motormen were injured in stone pelting by some commuters, following which their counterparts on Harbour line went on a flash strike which severely disrupted the suburban train schedule affecting lakhs of commuters.
The services were resumed later in the day.
According to reports, some autorickshaw drivers outside Diva and Dombivali railway stations took advantage of the situation and charged excessive fares from passengers who were stuck at stations.
Raote held a meeting with traffic police and RTO officials at Dombivali police station.
Meanwhile, Thane police have filed a criminal case against 17,000 unidentified persons under various sections of IPC for arson, rioting and damaging railway property during the agitation, said a release issued by Thane Police today.
