Tensions between online cab aggregators and auto-taxi unions in Kerala worsened on Tuesday, after CITU Ernakulam district president KN Gopinath was stabbed during a protest against Uber in Ernakulam.
Gopinath who sustained injuries on his neck, has been admitted to a private hospital in the district and is currently undergoing treatment, say reports.
Just after Gopinath was returning after having inaugurated the protest in front of the Uber office in Palarivattom, he was reportedly stabbed by one Unnikrishnan who came in a vehicle. He attacked Gopinath from behind.
The Palarivattom police have detained Unnikrishnan who is a native of Vadakara. Though some regional media reports say that Unnikrishnan is an Uber driver, Palarivattom police told The News Minute that this is yet to be confirmed.
“We have taken him into custody, and questioning is underway. We are yet to record the arrest,” said the police.
Autorickshaw and taxi drivers in Ernakulam have suspended service till 6 in the evening as a mark of protest against the attack on the trade union leader.
Earlier in October, four Uber cabs were allegedly vandalized by auto drivers in Thiruvananthapuram.