Bhubaneswar, August 21: The president of the Online Auto Association, Dinabandhu Nayak, has broken his silence over the violence at Master Canteen, apologising to the general public for the inconvenience caused during the incident.

In a 14-minute video message, Nayak expressed regret over the incident and said he was sorry for the difficulties faced by commuters. He maintained that the drivers’ agitation had no political motive and was aimed at pressing for their long-pending demands.

Nayak also defended the drivers, stating that they were forced to resort to protest as their demands were not being addressed.

Meanwhile, police have arrested 113 people in connection with the violence and produced them before the court. As many as 354 vehicles have been seized, while seven FIRs have been registered at Kharavela Nagar Police Station.

Authorities have also taken action against the taxi association’s office, with a bulldozer being used at the premises. The Transport Department has issued show-cause notices seeking to know why the permits and registration certificates (RCs) of vehicles operated by the accused owners should not be cancelled.

Following the Master Canteen violence, association president Dinabandhu Nayak has reportedly been absconding. Police are conducting raids at several locations in an effort to trace and apprehend him.