SHILLONG, Nov. 17 -- Shillong is perhaps the only town in the country where one can see local cabbies increase their fares on their own, bypassing the state government.

Nowhere else one can find such self-imposed fares being charged by public taxis, observed those who are facing the brunt.Sights of frustrating experiences in public faces when commuting within the town as cabbie drivers demanding Rs.15 on share taxi, instead of Rs. 10, more than the prescribed state government rates, is common now.

The extorting cabbie drivers' action proves many a thing and most importantly the mute spectatorship of the state government which do not go by complaints that hits the public domains rather wait for the traditional "pen and paper complaints",...