New Zealand Taxi Federation calls for more security after Hiren Mohini's killing

Auckland, Feb 1(ANI): Shocked by the killing of Indian-origin taxi driver Hiren Mohini in Auckland's suburb on Sunday, the New Zealand Taxi Federation is calling for compulsory security cameras to prevent such incidents in future.

Executive Director of the federation Tim Reddish said that it was up to the Government to "make it happen".

"The industry won't put them [cameras] in unless they are made compulsory," New Zealand Herald quoted Reddish, as saying.

"I am just wondering how many more murders there have to be before the Minister of Transport wakes up and makes security cameras compulsory," he added.

Meanwhile, New Zealand Transport Minister Steven Joyce has said that he would call a meeting of taxi industry representatives to discuss safety improvement options.

"That's both the Taxi Federation and quite a significant part of the industry that doesn't belong to the federation, the Department of Labour and the Transport Agency and looking at what further action can be taken," Joyce said.

"I think we are getting to the point sadly, on top of other recent events, where unfortunately what we're seeing is a trend toward a much less safe environment for taxi drivers," he added.

Auckland Co-operative Taxi Society chairman Ian Graham had earlier said the management had discussed issuing police-style flak jackets to nightshift drivers and supported the installation of security cameras or screens that shielded drivers from passengers.

"We have to look at all avenues to make sure that we do something," Graham had said. (ANI)