Mangalore : Auto rickshaw drivers’ union under the aegis of CITU on August 26, Tuesday organized a protest in front of state health minister U T Khadar’s house demanding to provide compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family of auto driver Mohammed Rifai, who was killed recently at Maripalla.

Although the protestors gathered in large number, Minister was not present at his residence to heed to their demands.

Addressing the protestors, CITU leader Vasanth Achary said that most of the time auto drivers easily get targeted to crimes.

He also said that Rifai was innocent, but culprits killed him at an isolated place. This protest was held just to draw the attention of the government through its elected representatives to demand justice to his family and not against the Minister, he added.

Achary also appreciated the effort of police department for nabbing the accused. But government has not responded to it. Hence, Government must provide the compensation of Rs 5 lakh because he was a chief breadwinner of the family.

Getting information from the sources that CITU will organizing a protest, in a letter handed through his PA stated that although he come to know about the protest plan on previous day, he has to go to Bangalore on an urgent official work.

He also stated that, he has already met the victim’s family and assured to take strict action against the culprits and also directed the police department in this regard.

Khader informed that, in spite of having many means of communication, the protestors have failed to inform him in advance and real motive of the protest is not known to him. He said to meet the protestors once he comes back to Mangalore.

Khader also made an arrangement to provide food to the protestors at his house.