LEH, SEPTEMBER 03, 2021: Taxi operators in Leh did not operate taxis in the first half today in protest against the alleged “manhandling” of a driver from Leh in Drass on Thursday. The protest call was announced by General Secretary All Ladakh Transport Operators Association (ALTOA) Stanzin Norboo in a press release.

The press release said that in a meeting of all stakeholders regarding the recent incident at Kargil “where a local taxi driver was manhandled” has unanimously decided that “taxis will not operate for the first half of the day on 3 Sep. 2021”.

While as per the press release drop and pick up from the airport remained open. In meanwhile, shops, and restaurants in the district also remained open. The Ladakh Taxi Operators Co-operative Limited also announced the same in a notice on Thursday.

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In the meanwhile, the taxi operators from Kargil have refuted the allegations of the Leh Taxi union. They further said that if such an incident has taken place, they must provide some proof of the manhandling.

Earlier on Thursday, the All Ladakh Transport Association (ALTA) conducted a mediation process between the Taxi union Kargil and Taxi Union Leh. In the meeting, it was decided by the leaders of both the organizations to handle the issues with peaceful talks and dialogue, announced the ALTA in a press conference after the meeting. He further appealed to maintain peace and harmony.

However, during the meeting the President Taxi Operators Cooperative was informed that a Leh driver has been manhandled at Drass thus he left the meeting to address the issue, the president informed media persons. Pertinent to mention that Kargil district observed a complete shutdown on Thursday against the arrest of Taxi Union leaders in Leh after their protest at Raj Bhawan.