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CNG hike: 100 protesting autorickshaw drivers detained

  • 26/02/2008

Nearly 100 autorickshaw drivers were detained on Monday by Gandhinagar police at Koba circle, when they were heading towards the state Assembly to mark their protest against the recent price hike of CNG. Ashok Punjabi, convenor of Autorickshaw drivers committee said "Since last night 350-400 Autodrivers were detained by the police at Maninagar, Juhapura, Bapunagar and several other places in a wake of our proposed march at the state assembly. Even in reduced numbers, we were determined to storm the state assembly to get our voices heard.' The autorickshaw association, on Monday, reiterated their threat for an indefinite auto-strike from March 3. Earlier, in the afternoon, autorickshaw drivers assembled at Bishop petrol pump in Sabarmati to lead a march towards Gandhinagar. At Koba a huge team of cops detained them and herded them in a ground till the evening before they were allowed to go. "I had been given an appointment by the energy minister, Saurabh Patel for a meeting. However, before I could reach the minister's office he left for the budget session,' added Punjabi who had managed to evade the detentions and reached Gandhinagar. Earlier, the committee members approached CNG filling stations with their problems and demands. He added that a memorandum stating there problems and probable solutions had been handover to the Chief ministers office along with Shaktisinh Gohil, leader of opposition.