A section of employees of Chennai's public transport system, Metropolitan Transport Corporation, went on a flash strike this morning, demanding action against those who had assaulted their colleagues near here.

They warned of intensifying their agitation if their grievances were not addressed.

Only half of the 4000-odd strong fleet of the MTC was operating and employees including drivers and conductors attached to 11 depots in the city kept off work since morning, an MTC employees' union spokesperson Rajendran said.

"The attack seems to be a fallout of previous enmity between some autorickshaw operators and the bus crew.If no proper action is taken, more number of employees will join the strike later in the day,'' he said.

Officials were holding talks with the agitating workers.

Four persons were arrested in connection with the attack on the MTC crew at Padi last night and remanded to custody, Md.Shakeel Akhtar, Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), said.

People in various parts of the city and its suburbs faced difficulty in reaching their offices as MTC drivers refused to operate buses.

Commuters had to opt for suburban train services and autos to commute, resulting in long queues outside ticket counters and auto drivers having a field day.