Several cab drivers of Ola and Uber, who were protesting on Wednesday in Hyderabad were taken into custody from Indira Park's Dharna Chowk by the city police.
Drivers, under the banner of Telangana Cab Drivers' and Owners' Association (TCDOA), began an indefinite hunger strike for their demands to be met.
"The cabbies don't have permission for an indefinite strike. We clearly asked them to vacate the place by 5 pm. Even after extending permission by two hours, they did not vacate, so we forcefully detained them under section 151of CrPC...We made them talk to our seniors. They were assured their problems would be brought to the notice of transport department," M Sudharshan, Inspector, Chikkadpally told TOI.
Since December 30, a large number of cabs in Hyderabad have been off the streets.
The drivers have demanded that no new cabs be licensed until existing drivers are guaranteed a minimum of daily bookings.
The drivers have also sought protection from the company, when incidents of miscreants booking a cab, beating up the driver, and stealing the car occur.
On Wednesday, the cab drivers came prepared to be detained, as they settled down for their indefinite fast and refused to budge after 5 pm, until they were physically carried away by the police.
Raising slogans against Ola and Uber, the protestors also accused the government of not looking into their demands.
Read: Ground report: Hyderabad's Ola and Uber drivers hit the streets in anger as earnings drop