The Dimapur District Auto Drivers’ Union (DDADU) has issued a formal response regarding the alleged sexual assault case of June 15 involving an auto-rickshaw driver and a male passenger.
Addressing the media at his residence on Thursday, DDADU president Tito shared the findings from the union’s internal inquiry conducted after meeting with the accused driver. According to the union, the incident began when a male passenger hired a passenger auto from Rail Gate with the destination marked as 4th Mile. On reaching Airport Junction, a female pedestrian reportedly signalled for a ride, and the male passenger requested the driver to stop and allow her to board.
The two passengers were said to have had a brief conversation before proceeding with the journey. The male passenger later instructed the driver to head toward Showuba, claiming he needed to collect money from his mother to pay the fare.
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On the way, the female passenger reportedly asked the driver to stop the vehicle. Due to traffic congestion, the driver was unable to halt immediately. However, as the auto began to slow down, the woman reportedly jumped out of the moving vehicle, drawing the attention of bystanders who then apprehended both the driver and the male passenger.
DDADU expressed regret over the incident and extended an apology to the victim and her family. The union confirmed that the driver is a registered member of DDADU and assured that strict disciplinary action would be taken if he is found guilty through police investigation. The union also clarified that the driver and the male passenger were not known to each other prior to the incident.
Tito appealed to the public to refrain from rushing to judgment, stressing the need to allow the law to establish the facts. He reiterated the union’s stance that if any wrongdoing is proven, the driver will be barred from operating under DDADU’s banner.
An FIR has been registered at the Women Police Station Dimapur. According to reliable sources, the accused passenger is currently under the care of the Juvenile Justice Board, while the auto-rickshaw driver remains in judicial custody at Central Jail.
