PUNE, January 23: In a massive crackdown on agitating autorickshawmen, the police yesterday arrested Rickshaw Panchayat president Baba Adhav and 2,000 supporters.At least 18 persons were injured in the police lathi-charge that was ordered after irate autorickshawmen started pelting stones to protest Adhav's arrest. Meanwhile, Adhav has gone on an indefinite hunger strike.The arrests were peaceful, barring six separate incidents in which autorickshawmen attacked six Pune Municipal Transport buses, which were obtained to carry the arrested protestors. An incident of a six-seater autorickshaw being attacked was also reported.The action comes in the wake of violent incidents in the strike during the last four days. The Rickshaw Panchayat announced the staging of a dharna at the office of the Divisional Commissioner Arun Bhatia, also chairman of the RTA.The panchayat leaders appealed to their members to gather near Bhatia's office along with their family members. Following this, police took action. The area surrounding Bhatia's office was barricaded and a huge posse of policemen, assisted by State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) personnel, was deployed to prevent anyone from reaching the office without proper identification.Adhav and his arrested supporters were arrested on charges of defying the ban on assembly of five or more persons, imposed by Police Commissioner K K Kashyap in the city yesterday. They will be produced before the court later today, Assistant Commissioner of Police V P Munde said."Aandolan Chaluch Rahanar(the strike will continue)," Adhav said, while addressing 2000 men at the Pune Rural police headquarters after their arrest. A DCP, two ACPs, six inspectors, 60 constables and two platoons of the SRPF deployed to control them watched helplessly as Rickshaw Panchayat leaders held a public meeting after being arrested. Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat leader Mohan Nanavare and others made speeches, turning the occasion into a public rally.DCP Ughade told Adhav that he was defying the ban and that he had been arrested after the Rickshaw Panchayat president and 50 other autorickshawmen walked along the barricaded road near the Rickshaw Panchayat office.Challenging police officials, Baba said he would not surrender. Others also followed his example. Some policemen lifted Adhav physically and hustled him into a jeep. Attempts by Adhav's supporters to stop the jeep proved futile. As miscreants pelted stones at the policemen and passing vehicles, DCP Ughade ordered a lathi-charge in retaliation.
