Meru office attacked, vehicles burnt in Bangalore

A protest by the cab drivers belonging to Meru Cabs took a violent turn on Saturday.

Five company cabs suffered extensive damage and six two-wheelers that belonged to its employees were gutted, as the protesters attacked its office on  Hennur Outer Ring Road.

Police said the incident happened around 3.30pm at the Meru office in HBR Layout. Drivers had gathered there to stage a protest, asking the cab operator to consider their demands. While complaining that the company failed to book passengers for their cabs, they wanted it to drop its plan of buying 400 more cabs. At present, Meru owns 1,200 cars.

While the protest was on, a few drivers arrived at the office to deposit the collection money, which the protesters tried to stop. A feud ensued between the office staff and the drivers, following which the protesters set their two-wheelers afire.

Besides, the agitators pelted stones on the office building and the cabs parked there. The office called up the Hennur police, but before they arrived, the protesters fled. Firefighters rushed to the spot, but couldn’t  save the vehicles. Meru refused to comment on it. When 4422 4422, used for booking cabs, was dialled, a recorded answer said that Meru was unable to accept any booking due to unavoidable circumstances.