CNG: violence mars strike in Delhi

NEW DELHI, AUG. 28. Sporadic violence marred the day-long strike by operators of buses, autorickshaws and taxis here over the CNG issue, as the Delhi Government and strikers made counter-claims about the outcome of the stir and the Government vowed to take action against the `few' bus operators who took part in the agitation.

The Delhi Transport Minister, Mr. Pervez Hashmi, said the strike had ``failed miserably'' while the Bus Operators' Joint Action Committee, which had given the call for strike, said the strike was a ``total success''. Stoning of buses and deflation of tyres were reported from some areas during the strike called to press for allowing of an alternative to CNG as fuel for running of public transport.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, has convened a Group of Ministers meeting on August 30 to work out a mechanism to tide over the CNG crisis in the capital. The high- level meeting would consider various options, including promulgation of an ordinance to nullify the Supreme Court order which gave the September 30 deadline for conversion of all public transport vehicles to the CNG mode.

- PTI, UNI

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