Bhubaneswar, August 25: The protest by online auto drivers in Bhubaneswar has landed several drivers in trouble, with authorities initiating stringent action over alleged vandalism during the agitation last Wednesday.

Police had seized 480 vehicles from the protest site following the incident. Subsequently, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) issued show-cause notices to the owners of all the seized vehicles, warning of action against them. More than 100 protesters were also arrested in connection with the incident.

According to Bhubaneswar RTO officer Manas Mishra, the deadline for responding to the show-cause notices ends today. However, only 25 vehicle owners have submitted their replies, while the remaining owners are yet to respond.

The RTO has now initiated the process to take further action, including cancellation of the Registration Certificates (RCs) of vehicles found to be in violation.

Mishra said the department has also found that several of the seized vehicles have pending fines and lack mandatory documents such as fitness certificates and insurance. Officials are currently preparing a list of such vehicles.

Owners of vehicles found without the required documents are likely to be issued separate notices for RC cancellation, adding to the mounting difficulties faced by the drivers following the protest.