Mysuru: Tourist vehicle drivers staged a protest in city yesterday, demanding action against unauthorised vehicles with white boards and electric vehicles (EV) being operated as taxis.

The protest was staged under the aegis of Mysuru District Tourist Vehicle Drivers and Owners Welfare Association, in front of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) – West, near Ballal Circle in city.

Association President S. Nagaraj said, following a complaint to RTO, a raid was conducted on Tuesday on private firms letting out white board vehicles as taxis and seized them. But, the owners of such vehicles succeeded in shifting the vehicles elsewhere in connivance with RTO officials.

Though over seven cars were seized during the raid, only three vehicles were brought near RTO office, leaving behind four vehicles. Though the wheels were locked, the car owners removed the wheels in a scrupulous manner and replaced them with a spare wheel, before driving them to undisclosed locations.

However, a RTO official denied the allegations and assured to initiate action against unauthorised taxi operators and conduct the probe in a fair manner.

Association Vice-President R. Prabhakar, Secretary K.T. Diwakar, Girish and others were present on the occasion.