The ATCs went on a nationwide indefinite hunger strike late on Saturday night to protest against yesterday's arrest of six dismissed ATCs -- four in Mumbai and two in Delhi. Four city-based ATCs -- P N Bahuguna, P Srinivas, M K Sinha and Sudhanshu Gupta -- were booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Civil Aviation Safety Act for their role in last month's strike.

The arrests came after Bombay High Court judge P S Patankar on Saturday rejected the bail application of the dismissed ATCs saying the strike was illegal.

Airport unions expressed solidarity for the ATCs. Air Corporation Employees Union General Secretary C D Soman has exhorted AAI to resolve the issue through negotiation. Other unions such as AAI Engineers' Union and AAIKamgar Union have also supported the ATCs. Meanwhile, various unions are planning to take out a morcha on Monday to the office of the Airport Executive Director to demand the ATCs release.