Wednesday, February 1 2006 16:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Flight operations at the airport here were not affected even as four persons, including a policeman, were injured in a cane-charge on employees of Airports Authority of India, who struck work indefinitely today (Feb 1,2006) in protest against 'privatisation' of Delhi and Mumbai airports.

Police resorted to lathicharge thrice to disperse around 3,000 AAI employees who staged a sit-in at the main enterance of the airport.

Four persons, including policemen were injured in the cane-charge and scuffle, police said.

However, air traffic and passenger movement were not affected, as Air Traffic controllers have not joined the strike, AAI officials said.

Earlier, members of the AAI Employees Union staged a sit-in at the main entrance of departure terminus and raised anti-Government slogans.

Joint Secretary of AAI Employees Union Nitin Jadhav claimed the strike was 'total' as 3,000 employees working in ground handling, maintainance, aerobridge, electricals and other units had joined the strike.

"Impact of the strike will be felt in the night when the International operations start," he said.

The Government had opened financial bids yesterday and awarded contracts for modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports to consortia led by GMR-Fraport and GVK-South African Airports respectively.