Bhubaneswar: A protest by app-based cab and bike-taxi drivers in Bhubaneswar turned violent on Wednesday, with agitators allegedly pelting stones at police personnel and damaging an Ama Bus during their agitation at Lower PMG and Master Canteen Square.

The protest by drivers associated with platforms such as Ola, Uber and Rapido entered its third day. The agitators are demanding better earnings, regulation of online taxi fares and social security benefits.

Tension escalated when some protesters clashed with police and threw stones at them. An Ama Bus passing through the area was also attacked with stones and damaged. A police vehicle was damaged as well.

Police resorted to a lathi charge to bring the situation under control and detained several protesters.

The agitation also disrupted traffic in the city. Roads from Bhubaneswar railway station towards the airport witnessed congestion as protesters occupied roads, affecting the movement of vehicles and causing inconvenience to commuters.

The drivers have been demanding government regulation of fares charged by online taxi and ride-hailing platforms. They want the state government and aggregator companies to jointly fix minimum and maximum fares for passengers.

They have also demanded fair compensation for drivers for the time spent waiting for customers and for rides cancelled by passengers. Another demand is that app-based companies should not be allowed to add new vehicles to their platforms without proper regulation.

Bhubaneswar DCP warned the protesters against resorting to violence and disrupting public life. He said around 30 to 40 people had been detained so far in connection with the violence. Those found involved in vandalism and attacks on police or public property would face action, he added.

The police also warned that vehicles used in the violent protest could be seized. FIRs would be registered against those involved in vandalism, and they would be arrested and produced before court, the DCP said.