Kottayam: More and more cases of mobs attacking innocent people are being reported from several parts of the state. Among the latest of such incidents occurred, a group of unruly auto-rickshaw drivers manhandled a couple from Thiruvananthapuram as well as a mediaperson who intervened in the issue at Kottayam KSRTC bus stand around 6 pm on Thursday. Now, a video of the attack has surfaced.

The victims were Sivababu and his wife Padmaseela, a sub-engineer with KSEB, belonging to Pettah in the capital city, and Kairali TV bureau chief T P Prasanth. The auto drivers kicked Prasanth, who had come running to the spot on seeing the couple being attacked, on his stomach. Two auto drivers, Babu, 53, of Kalathur, Mariyapalli and Sarath, 26, of Thundiyil, Kummanam, were taken into custody in connection with the attack. However, another assailant could not be nabbed as he escaped in his auto and police are clueless about him.

In protest against the incident, a meeting was organized by mediapersons demanding stern action against the culprits, including cancellation of their driving license and auto permit. Those spoke at the meeting said that the real attacker had not been arrested by the police as he had fled. Demanding his immediate arrest, the meeting decided to proceed with all necessary legal procedures in the case.

Participants at the meeting pointed out that criminal elements among the auto drivers were abusing and on occasions even assaulting passengers. The mediapersons demanded opening of prepaid auto-rickshaw counters in the town.

The district unit of the Kerala Union of Working Journalists submitted a complaint regarding the incident to the district collector, district police chief and the regional transport officer.

Press Club secretary S Sanil Kumar presided over the meeting.