"A group of around 20 to 25 activists stormed into the office of the Bombay Taximen's Union in central Mumbai and assaulted office members. They also damaged office furniture and other equipment," said D A Salian, from the Bombay Taximen's Union.

The Union immediately called for a flash strike and said that all taxis would be pulled off roads, he said.

"The taxis will stay off the roads the whole day and we will be meeting in the evening to decide future course of action," he said.

Since Sunday, there were also sporadic instances of attacks on taxi and auto rickshaws.

On Wednesday evening there were some attacks on taxi drivers in the suburbs of Malad, Vakola and Vile Parle, police officials said.

Members of the Union attributed the attack to their chief A L Quadros' demand that MNS chief Raj Thackeray should be arrested for the recent violence against taximen in the city since Sunday.

Quadros, who heads the over 55,000 strong union, had also demanded compensation for taxi drivers affected by the violence.

Members of the Union had met Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil on Wednesday in order to discuss attacks on taxi drivers, Salian said.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) K L Prasad on Thursday went to meet Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, who also holds the home portfolio, to discuss the overall law and order situation in the city.