Goa taxis' stir enters 2nd day; black & yellow cabs resume

service(Eds: Adds details)Panaji, Jan 20 (PTI) Tourist taxis remained off theroad in Goa for the second day today, but the traditionalyellow and...

service(Eds: Adds details)Panaji, Jan 20 (PTI) Tourist taxis remained off theroad in Goa for the second day today, but the traditionalyellow and black cab operators withdrew from the strikedeclared illegal by the state government.

The strike, called on the issue of installing speedgovernors in taxis, left passengers stranded at various placesin the state, where peak tourist season is on.

The yellow and black taxis, which had joined thestrike yesterday, resumed their services today. However,private bus operators have threatened to join the strike.

"A batch of ten taxis was sent from the airport withpassengers to ensure they are not attacked on the way by theagitators. We can't keep the passengers stranded at theairport," a senior member of the Yellow and Black TaxiOperators' Association told PTI.

"Not a single taxi is operating in the state. We havebeen protesting peacefully. The strike will continue," saidVinayak Nanoskar, General Secretary, the North Goa TouristTaxi Association.

Due to the strike, around 18,000-odd taxis are off theroad in the coastal state. The yellow and black taxis numberaround 350.

A number of passengers were stranded at variousplaces, including the airport and railway stations.

To minimise the impact of the strike, state-runKadamba Transport Corporation Ltd has deployed additionalbuses to ferry air and train passengers.

A leading association of private buses has threatenedto join the stir from Monday in support of the agitating taxioperators.

"We are fully with the taxi operators in their strike.

We will also keep our buses off the road from Monday tosupport them," said All Goa Bus Owners Association GeneralSecretary Sudip Tamankar.

He claimed the bus operators were also facing similarproblem with the Goa government insisting that speed governorsbe installed in their vehicles.

The tourist taxi operators are seeking exemption fromthe government from the Supreme Court order of installingspeed governors.

However, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has declinedto accept the demand.

Installation of speed governors was part the SupremeCourt's directives, he said yesterday.

The BJP-led government has invoked the EssentialServices Maintenance Act (ESMA) and declared the strike asillegal.

The Act includes a list of "essential services" andgives police the right to arrest, without a warrant, anybodyviolating its provisions.

However, no action has been taken against theagitating taxi operators since yesterday. PTI RPS NRBRSY.

This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

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