NASHIK, Aug 25: Autorickshaws went off the roads in Nashik city today, indefinitely, to demand freezing of autorickshaw permits for five years to enable the existing autorickshaw drivers to earn a living.

The strike call had been given by the Nashik Vibhag Autorickshaw Federation, Bhadrakali Autorickshaw Union, Nashik District Autorickshaw Drivers' Union, Ravivar Temple Karanja Rickshaw Chalak Malak Sangh, Saptashrungi Rickshaw Malak Sena and Shivgarjana Rickshaw Mandal.

The agitators are also holding an indefinite hunger strike in front of the district collectorate. A spokesman of the agitators said that if the grant of permits continued, about 30,000 autorickshaws drivers would starve.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.