Mangaluru: Autorickshaw drivers along with members of Tulunadu Rakshana Vedike held a protest near the deputy commissioner’s office on Monday urging the district administration to allow autorickshaws registered in rural areas to enter the city. The protesters urged the district administration that rules that mandate minimum educational qualification for the auto drivers be reconsidered. They also sought reduction in insurance premium and protection for drivers on night shifts.

Speaking on the occasion, Vedike leader Yogish Shetty Jeppu said, "Banning the entry of autorickshaws registered in rural areas into the city limits by the Road Transport Authority is unacceptable. Whenever autorickshaws registered in rural areas enter the city, police book cases."

"People from Thokkottu, Ullal, Deralakatte, Someshwara, Kotekar, Kuthar, Konaje, Mudipu, Bolyar, B C Road, Farangipete, Mangalajyothi, Neermarga, and other places use autorickshaws to travel to the city. Such being the case, autorickshaws from rural areas should not be prevented from entering the city. Hence, the RTA should amend its notification regarding bifurcation of autorickshaw permits into the city and rural areas," he demanded.