CHENNAI, June 20: With the city being held to ransom by the busmen of State-owned transport corporations who went on a wildcat strike today, the automen were jubilant as it provided them with an opportunity to fleece passengers who were, literally, at their mercy for transportation, as was evident from the fares charged for the day. While automen 'conceded' to take three different parties together, each paying a high fare of Rs 50 for a ride that normally costed lesser, the police and the transport department turnoed a blind eye to this. Some irate citizens stage a road roko in protest of this situation, at George Town area, here.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.