Dimapur District Auto Driver’s Union responds to molestation case, promises action if found guilty

DIMAPUR — The President of the Dimapur District Auto Driver's Union (DDADU), Tito Yeptho, has expressed regret to the 21-year-old woman and her family who was allegedly molested by a fellow passenger in an auto-rickshaw on June 15.

Yeptho confirmed that the auto-rickshaw driver is a bona fide member of DDADU. While noting that the matter is currently under police investigation, he urged the public to remain patient.

He assured that if the driver is found guilty, the union will take strict action and bar him from driving an auto-rickshaw in Dimapur.

Sharing the account provided by the driver to DDADU, Yeptho stated that the accused passenger had hired the auto from Rail Gate to 4th Mile. However, during the journey, the victim asked the driver to stop the auto near the Dimapur Airport road.

After the auto had moved a short distance, the male passenger approached the woman, spoke to her briefly for about two to three minutes, and then both entered the auto together.

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Upon reaching 4th Mile, the accused passenger requested the driver to continue the journey till Showuba, claiming that he didn’t have money at the time and would pay the fare after collecting it from his mother there. It was reportedly between 4th Mile and Showuba that the alleged molestation incident took place.

According to the driver, the woman asked him to stop the auto-rickshaw. As the vehicle was in motion and there might have been oncoming traffic, he slowed down but couldn’t halt immediately.

Out of fear, the woman reportedly jumped out of the vehicle and passers-by who witnessed the situation intervened and apprehended both the driver and the male passenger.

Citing ‘available information’, Yeptho also said the driver and the male passenger were not acquainted with each other prior to the incident.

An FIR was filed at the Women Police Station in Dimapur on June 15. The accused passenger has been presented before the Juvenile Justice Board, while the driver is currently in judicial custody.