Days after the ban on bike taxis began in Karnataka, the city traffic police on Saturday intensified their crackdown on autorickshaw drivers violating rules, including overcharging, refusal to ply, and lack of proper documentation.

The move comes amid rising commuter complaints and efforts to streamline public transport services, after the curbs on bike taxis. In two days, 1,000 cases were booked against errant auto drivers found violating the rules, M.N. Anucheth, Joint Commissioner of Police, said.

According to him, the special drive will continue for another two weeks to ensure discipline among the drivers .

Special teams have been formed in all traffic divisions who approach the autorickshaw drivers in mufti as customers. “Ever since the ban, autorickshaw drivers who have been complaining about not getting customers, behave in an uncouth manner and demand excess fares and refuse to go on hire,” a police officer said.

Repeat offenders will be dealt with seriously and their licences will be seized, the police added.

On Sunday, the police booked 84 drivers for not wearing uniform, 52 for charging excess fares, and 44 for refusing to ply. The police have also booked over 200 drivers for parking violations and another 680 for other violations.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Association filed a complaint against bike taxi drivers’ protest on Saturday in front of the Vidhana Soudha, which is in violation of the High court order.

In a complaint to the Vidhana Soudha police, association president, S. Nataraja Sharma alleged that the protest organised against the ban was without permission from the authorities and termed it illegal.