Hundreds of cab operators based in Siliguri have alleged harassment of drivers and detention of vehicles by criminals in popular tourist destinations in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts and also highhandedness by a section of police officers.

From Siliguri, over 2,000 light vehicles carry tourists to different places in the two hill districts every day. Most of the vehicles for the hills depart from New Jalpaiguri railway station, the Bagdogra airport and the Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus, the three principal transit points of the city.

“These days, some local miscreants are harassing drivers of vehicles in different tourist destinations. There are reports that these people are obstructing vehicles' movement and even demanding money from drivers. Because of such harassment, a section of transporters stopped sending their vehicles to the hills. The administration should immediately intervene and prevent such practices or else, it will affect the transport sector and the tourism industry as a whole,” said Sandipan Ghosh, the general secretary of the Eastern Himalaya Travel & Tour Operators’ Association (EHTTOA).

A senior transporter, who runs cabs between the plains and the hills, said the October 4 flash flood in the Teesta had also affected them. Hundreds of tourists who had plans to visit Sikkim during the Durga Puja and Diwali holidays cancelled their trips after the natural disaster, they said.

“We pay hefty amounts as taxes and insurance premiums for their vehicles and even then, we cannot run our vehicles in a proper manner and have to face harassment. That is why over 30 per cent of transporters like us are not sending their vehicles to the hills. There is also an apprehension that the miscreants might attack the driver or damage the vehicle,” he said.

The harassment, they said, has started just ahead of the winter season. In another seven days, tourists will start flocking to the hills during Christmas Eve and New Year to enjoy the chill.

The representatives of EHTTOA said another issue that had left the transporters perturbed was the highhandedness of a section of police officers in the hills.

“They indiscriminately impose fines on vehicles which move into the hills from Siliguri and hardly provide any time for the driver to give a clarification. Another problem is the sudden seizure of vehicles for VIP duties without any prior intimation,” said Debasish Maitra, the president of EHTTOA.

He said the issues were taken up with the administration but there had been no change in the situation, while pointing out that such activities also leave the tourists inconvenienced.

“We want the police, the tourism department and the administration to solve the issue as otherwise, it would affect the industry,” Maitra said.