Three drivers of private cabs were injured when police lathicharged the agitating drivers at the TTD administrative office in Tirupati today. One police constable was also injured when the drivers, who were on warpath since Wednesday opposing the ban imposed on the entry of their vehicles into Tirumala, attacked the police with stones.

The drivers are demanding the immediate lifting of ban imposed on their vehicles’ entry into Tirumala. On the first day of their agitation on Wednesday, the drivers resorted to rasta roko at the Alipiri gate, the entry point to Tirumala Hills.

Today, the drivers supported by all political parties, tried to lay siege to the TTD administrative building and raised slogans against the management. When they tried to barge into the office premises, police swung into action and lathicharged them.

The TTD authorities banned the entry of private taxis into Tirumala as traffic problems have increased and accidents on the ghat roads have become the order of the day.

“The drivers are fleecing gullible pilgrims by charging up to Rs.100 per head where as they should charge anything between Rs.35 and Rs.45. Besides, they are also creating serious traffic problems. We imposed the ban as we wanted to make it an accident-free zone,” said a senior TTD official.