New Zealand taxi-drivers "arming themselves" after Hiren Mohini's killing

Auckland, Feb 2(ANI): Shocked by the killing of Indian-origin taxi driver Hiren Mohini in Auckland's suburb on Sunday, several taxi drivers in the country are carrying weapons to protect themselves from similar incidents.

A New Plymouth cabbie, Tony Brosnan, said that the Government review of safety in the industry was long overdue, but some drivers were already taking their own measures.

"I won't say who they are, but most of them are arming themselves. They don't want to do it but they have, they are doing it for their own safety," Stuff.co.nz quoted Brosnan, as saying.

Brosnan, who was bashed and locked in the boot of his cab last year, said it was disappointing that another driver had to die before the review was considered.

"It's overdue, but it really shouldn't need to be done, if people behaved themselves they wouldn't need to do it. It is something that's been on the cards for a long time," he said.

Police are still hunting for Mohini's attacker, but New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Transport Minister Steven Joyce announced that there would be a review of safety standards in the industry.Taxi drivers spoken to by the Taranaki Daily News yesterday were happy about the review but divided about arming themselves.

Meanwhile, another driver said that he was aware about some drivers arming themselves up, but he feared that could escalate the violence.

"I'm not aware that that is prevalent but I'm sure some carry an iron bar under the seat. If the public's perception was that taxi drivers were all carrying iron bars then people would expect that and act accordingly," the taxi driver said. (ANI)