The provisional charge of illegal demonstration against Atma Shanto, president of the United Workers Federation, and six other people was struck out on Wednesday in the Port-Louis court.
This decision by Magistrate Prashant Bissoon of the Port-Louis court came after the police prosecutor, Sergeant Rishisingh Bissessur, informed him of the opinion issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The six other people involved are Yashpal Murrakhun, aged 41, Mohammad Shaffick Kootab, aged 39, Rajkumar Dharnoo, aged 47, Louis Michel Ami, aged 61, Bala Krishna Arasen, aged 42 and Anwar Lallmahomed, aged 57. They are all taxi drivers.
Atma Shanto, 64, and the taxi drivers were arrested on 7 October 2022 by the police for taking part in a demonstration, described as illegal, on 13 June 2019 with other people outside the National Land Transport Authority (NLTA) building, formerly known as the National Transport Authority in Cassis. The aim of the action was to make their voices heard regarding a number of grievances, including unfair competition and the way in which certain hotels treat these taxi drivers.
