Actress Koyel Das harassed by cab driver on New Year’s night, women’s safety in question again

In a ghastly incident that took place in Kolkata on the night of New Year celebration, actress Koyel Das felt helpless after being harassed by an app cab driver. On Wednesday night, Koyel had booked a cab from her Ultadanga Main Road home to Lake Club.But the driver after picking her from the location cancelled the trip suddenly. When asked why he did so the driver said Koyel doesn’t have to worry about it, she will reach the destination on time. The driver’s actions freaked the young actress and when she dialed the Kolkata Police helpline it took 15 to 20 attempts to finally connect. The harassment didn’t end here. Koyel claims it took almost one and half hours for the police to arrive. The cab driver was arrested later. While speaking about the incident, Koyel Das who played a crucial role in Arindam Sil’s ‘Mitin Mashi’ said: “I received the invitation from Lake Club after my performance in the film was loved by many. I booked the cab at around 10 pm. The trip started on time but when I checked my phone after some time suddenly I noticed the trip has been canceled. The cab was on E. M. bypass at that time. When I repeatedly asked the driver he said I don’t have to worry about it. He has disconnected the internet for some reason.The driver insisted ‘apni chinta korben na…apnake jayga moto pouche debo.’ He was drunk also. I was totally freaked out and when the cab slowed down at a traffic signal, I started shouting. The driver stopped the car and some locals gathered who didn’t let the driver go until police comes. Finally the police came after almost one and a half hours. My question is why it took so long?” said the actress.She added: “It was horrific. We talk about woman safety in Kolkata everyday yet we face these situations almost every now and then. We walked through the streets with our protectors. We wore our dresses. We gave up our education because that was the price of safety. That was the bargain we made with devil we know to escape the devil we can’t. I saw a police van passing by when all of these was happening. Shocking when I asked for help they just stared at me.A woman asking for help to police and they just looking at me with surprised faces! I don’t know if this is natural.”