The Kerala government has taken swift action after three taxi drivers in Munnar allegedly harassed a woman tourist from Mumbai for using an online cab service.

Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar on Tuesday directed the immediate cancellation of the licences of the three drivers arrested following widespread outrage and a viral social media post by the victim.

“The licences of the drivers involved will be cancelled without delay. Such hooliganism cannot be tolerated in a progressive state like Kerala,” the minister said.

He added that while the government stands with law-abiding transport workers, including those operating through online platforms, it will deal firmly with anyone engaging in intimidation or unlawful acts.

“Uber is not banned in Kerala or anywhere in India. The issue in Munnar was not about livelihood, it was about lawlessness,” he remarked.

The tourist, identified as Janvi, an assistant professor from Mumbai, had shared a video on social media describing how she and her friends were threatened by a group of local taxi drivers during their visit to Munnar in the last week of October.

The group, which had travelled through Kochi and Alappuzha using an online cab, was stopped by local unionised drivers who claimed that app-based taxis were not allowed in the hill station.

When Janhvi sought police help, she alleged that officers sided with the local drivers instead of intervening.

Her post drew massive public attention, prompting immediate government action. Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas intervened, and the police department initiated disciplinary measures.

Two police officials — Grade Sub-Inspector George Kurian and Assistant Sub-Inspector Saju Paulose — were suspended for failing to protect the tourist and for allegedly supporting the local drivers.

The three taxi drivers — P Vijayakumar (40), K Vinayakan, and A Aneesh Kumar (40) — were arrested on charges of wrongful restraint and criminal intimidation but were later released on station bail.

The Transport Department has since begun procedures to cancel their licences, as ordered by the minister. Ganesh Kumar warned that similar incidents in the future would attract strict punishment.

“No one will be allowed to tarnish Kerala’s image as a safe and welcoming tourism destination,” he said.