However, the citizens of Pune, who had lavished praise on Bhatia, have now been shaken by his transfer to the Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration. On Saturday, soon after news of Bhatia's transfer spread, peoples' groups headed towards the Pune Municipal Corporation to lodge their protest.

Slogans of `Shame, Government, Shame', `Arun Bhatia aage badho, hum tumhare saath hain' rent the air, as citizens spontaneously gathered outside the PMC gates. After voicing their protest for over an hour, which included calls for a Pune bandh, they headed towards Bhatia's residence. At least 25 citizens who were waiting for the `demolition man' at his residence were detained by the Deccan police under Section 37 of the Bombay Police Act and released later.

The group, which included representatives of thePatit Pawan Sanghatana, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena, Pune University Women's Association, Nagarik Kriti Samiti, lashed out at the State Government. Several corporators too gathered at the scene to protest the transfer.

Senior activist Brigadier (retired) N B Grant said, ``It is important to stop the corruption right here with our movement in Pune. If need be, we will even go for a stay order against the transfer.''

Another senior citizen, Tara Warrier said, ``We have never had a commissioner like Arun Bhatia. The whole of Maharashtra has gone for a six.'' Gita Vir said Pune has seen very few good administrators. ``Arun Bhatia was one of them. We need somebody like him. It is a pity, nay, it is a tragedy, that due to vested interests and corrupt officials in Mumbai, Bhatia has been transferred. He needs to be back in the city again.''The Express Citizens Forum coordinator said an appeal could be made to the Governor on behalf of the citizens to use Article 356 in Maharashtra. ``The transfer isunconstitutional,'' the ECF coordinator said, adding that a public interest litigation would be filed.

PPS coordinator Sandeep Khardekar admitted to being overwhelmed by Bhatia's personality. He said he had never seen ``such a dynamic municipal commissioner who had the guts'' to raze unauthorised constructions. ``I was happy that my generation would get the opportunity to learn from Bhatia. It was like a dream come true.'' Khardekar urged citizens to come forward and participate in a Pune bandh.

Congress corporator Shantilal Suratwala, describing the transfer as ``a rude shock'', called upon people not to tolerate corruption. ``The people's movement in Thane was responsible for revoking their municipal commissioner's transfer,'' Suratwala said. The others chorused, ``We will not let this municipal commissioner go.''

Sunil Mahajan of Samvad threatened to stage a hunger strike if Bhatia's transfer was not revoked. Former bureaucrat Avinash Dharmadhikari's Nagarik Kriti Samiti too participated in thedemonstration.

After advocate Aroona Nafday, Dorothy Mascarenhas and other citizens aired their views, the agitated group waited at Bhatia's residence to express solidarity. While Bhatia was grateful for the support, he decided not to comment on the issue.

The citizens have also decided to meet at 10 am on Sunday outside the Mahatma Phule market to demonstrate their support for Bhatia and launch a signature campaign.