HYDERABAD, Oct 3: Drivers, cleaners and conductors of intra-city buses were baton-charged by police on Tuesday for violating the district government’s ban on entry of buses into the city.

Police also impounded about three dozen vehicles.

Local transporters claimed that about 80 buses had been impounded and 20 drivers, cleaners and conductors had been arrested.

As a result of police action, residents of Qasimabad and Kotri faced hardship in reaching their destinations.

About 12 drivers were detained after police resorted to baton charge when they tried to proceed towards the city.

Police stopped buses and mini buses at the Gymkhana chowk when they tried to proceed towards the city.

As drivers tried to defy the ban, they were baton-charged and arrested.

Police impounded about 30 buses near the Kotri bridge and two drivers were arrested by the Hussainabad police.

Drivers plying buses on the Kotri route parked their vehicles on one-side of the Kotri bridge in protest against the police action.

It may be mentioned that one side of the bridge is already closed for repair.

It led to serious traffic congestion and police rushed to the spot to clear the bridge.

The buses were towed away by police and the bridge was opened for traffic.

The district government had restricted the movement of local buses in order to avoid traffic congestion in the city where drainage and sewerage work was underway on two of the main arteries.

The entry of buses was banned earlier also but when transporters moved the court it was lifted.