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Autorickshaws go off road in Pondicherry

Special Correspondent

AIADMK MLA and CPI(M) leader court arrest

PROTEST: Members of CITU-led auto drivers and owners stage a demonstration in Pondicherry protesting against hike in fuel prices. — Photo:T. Singaravelou

Pondicherry: Autorickshaws went off the roads in Pondicherry on Tuesday to mark the auto owners`, workers and drivers' joint protest against the rise in petrol and diesel prices.

Police said more than 225 workers and leaders of various trade unions of auto drivers and workers courted arrest by launching road rokos at Pattanikadai junction, Rajiv Gandhi Square and at the Rajiv Gandhi Municipal bus terminal at Orleanpet. Those arrested included the AIADMK legislator of Pondicherry Ohm Shakthi Volunteers of the Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU) led Union of Auto Drivers and Workers led by its president T Murugan and Pondicherry Region Secretary of CPI(M), V.Perumal were arrested at Pattanikadai junction when they squatted on the road stopping traffic. Women formed a good part of the picketers and police pressed into service two vehicles to lift the agitators to the nearest barracks.

Agitators criticised the upward revision of fuel prices by the Central government without heeding the suggestions by the left parties. The CITU volunteers earlier came in a procession from Odianasalai to Pattanikadai carrying party flags and raising slogans against the Centre. Police were deployed to ensure that there was no threat to law and order.

Passengers engaged cycle rickshaws to reach their homes or offices. School children too bore the brunt of the strike as the entire fleet of autos was off the roads.

Privately operated goods vehicles also went off the roads in Pondicherry on Tuesday in response to the call given by the Pondicherry Goods Transporters Association (PGTA) to observe a twenty four hour strike from six a.m. on Tuesday to protest the price hike. Booking offices operated by lorry companies remained closed.

More than 500 lorries operate between Pondicherry and other states daily. A PGTA spokesman said the frequent hike in fuel prices had been adding to the woes of the vehicle operators. The strike by the transporters was a sequel to the call given by the All India Motor Transport Congress. Owners of mini load carriers also kept their vehicles off the roads as decided by the Puduchery Munnetra Trade Union Congress.

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