The strike was called in protest against the city traffic police and regional transport office's act of challaning 86 school autorickshaws over the past two days for not having the `school rickshaw' board, steel grills, or insurance cover and for carrying more than eight children, the stipulated number.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) A R Munshi said that a grill was necessary on the right of the passenger seat as young children often tried to jump out of the right side while alighting. Autorickshaws also carried more then the stipulated number of students, thus increasing chances of accidents, he said.

According to Munshi, there were about 4,000 autorickshaws in the city ferrying students to and fro their residences and schools at fixed hours. The action was taken following complaints that the autorickshaw drivers carried more students than allowed.

The ACP said only 10 to 15 per cent of auto-drivers loyal to the Indian National Trade Union Congress, to which the VRCC is affiliated, took part in the strike, while other unions including those affiliated to the All India Trade Union Congress and the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh boycotted the strike call.