KOCHI: "The women tore my clothes in public and humiliated me when several persons were watching," said Uber driver T A Shafeeq, 32, who was physically assaulted by three women the other day. "More than the physical attack, this has hurt me the most." A native of Kumbalam, Shafeeq -who is undergoing treatment at Ernakulam General Hospital - narrated the nightmare he went through to Express. He is recuperating from the head injury suffered at the hands of the trio. "I am an ordinary person who drives a taxi for my livelihood. I have never gone through such a frightening experience in my life," he said in a choking voice. When I am discharged from the hospital, I will consult my family and I will approach the human rights panel against the accused.
Since I have never been involved in any untoward incident, I am not familiar with the legal aspects," he said.It was on Wednesday, the three women - Angel Baby, Clara Shibin and Sheeja M - attacked Shafeeq following a verbal duel over accommodating three passengers in the cab under Uberpool, the online taxi service's share ride facility. The police had arrested the trio and they were later released on bail. On Friday, one of the accused told a news channel their version was not heard by the cops. It was Shafeeq who used abusive words which provoked them and led to the altercation, she said.
PROTEST MARCH
Meanwhile, Shafeeq's relatives as well as residents of Kumbalam carried out a protest march on Friday from Kundanoor Junction to Maradu police station, alleging the police were protecting the accused persons.
They said without registering any grave offence, the police released them on bail. More than 100 persons took part in the march, which was stopped by the police. It was led by Congress leader K B Muhammed Kutty Master."The offence committed by the accused cannot be watered down on the fact the accused are women. The women have attacked the driver using a stone and he has suffered severe head injury. Normally, the police slap IPC section for murder attempt in such instances. The same sections should be added in this case as well," said Sherin Varghese, Youth Congress state secretary.