Ranchi, April 1: Several auto-rickshaw drivers were injured when police resorted to lathicharge today during a demonstration by the Auto Drivers’ Association.

The incident took place around 12 noon when the protest rally of the drivers was on its way to the Ranchi Regional Development Authority (RRDA) office.

According to the auto drivers, the police lathicharged without any provocation.

One of them said: “We have been victims of extortion for a long time now. Of late, the situation has become serious. The amount of money being demanded is going up and we are abused and even beaten up when we fail to pay.”

The auto drivers said they had repeatedly requested the officials concerned to take steps to remedy the situation but their pleas had fallen on deaf ears. “No one did anything to help us. So, we decided to hold a demonstration. But, the police beat us up for no reason at all. Many of our friends have been injured,” they said.

According to eyewitnesses, when the procession was entering the RRDA office, the agitators were stopped by the police and asked to turn back.

The demonstrators had planned to approach the RRDA first and then the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC).

But, the police stopped them before they entered the RRDA campus and started hitting them without any warning. Some of the auto drivers had to be taken to the subdivisional hospital for treatment.

However, police said the demonstrators got into a tussle with them.

According to one police official, “The drivers misbehaved with us and turned violent when we stopped them from entering the RRDA campus. We had no other choice but to resort to lathicharge. Some of the demonstrators tried to break the gate to get in. Some of our men, too, were injured.”

The drivers said the police, also, exploited them by demanding money. According to one of them: “Their usual demand is for Rs 5, but now they have started asking for more. If we refuse, they confiscate our vehicles.”

The drivers added that RRDA officials took money from them for maintenance of auto stands. “According to the law, Rs 5 is to be paid in three of the major roundabouts — Ratu Road, Naga Baba Khatal Chowk and Kutchery Chowk. But, though autos are parked at these places, there are no stands. These days officials ask for Rs 15 and it is not confined to the three specified chowks.”

The auto drivers said that there were instances when officials demanded as much as Rs 50 from them. “No one knows what happens to the money. When we protest against this, we get beaten up,” they said.