* Agitators hurl stones at Haryana Roadways bus
* Police teams deployed at railway station
* Students bear the brunt as autorickshaws remain off roads
* Strike to continue as talks fail

The third day of the strike by autorickshaw operators was marked by violence in Chandigarh, with protestors attacking a passenger bus on Wednesday. As many as 18 people were arrested on charges of rioting.

Firm on its stand to ban the entry of petrol and diesel-run autorickshaws from Mohali and Panchkula to Chandigarh, the UT Administration had on Tuesday extended till August 31 the deadline given to auto operators to switch over to LPG. The decision, however, failed to cut an ice with the operators, who have decided to continue with the strike.

The protests took an ugly turn when the drivers hurled stones at a Delhi-bound Haryana Roadways bus. The bus, on its way to Chandigarh from Kalka, was targeted near a railway overbridge. While no casualty was reported, the bus was heavily damaged.

The incident took place around 1.30 pm when the autorickshaw drivers of Panchkula were taking out a rally to Chandigarh, blocking the traffic for around 45 minutes.

The bus had just crossed the railway lightpoint when it was attacked. Several passengers got down to escape. The police later stopped the rally from marching further and arrested 18 autorickshaw drivers.

“Most of those arrested are from Manimajra, Vikas Nagar, Mauli Jagran and Panchkula. Their medical examination was conducted and they were sent to judicial custody,” said Kehar Singh, SHO, Manimajra police station.

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