Situation was tense on the busy Avanashi Road today following an argument between security personnel of an exhibition hall and taxi drivers over parking space for the vehicles, resulting in the irate drivers laying siege of the hall for nearly 30 minutes.

A medical conference was on in the hall. There were a number of cabs at the parking space. A taxi arrived and, after dropping a passenger, parked near the gate. The security staff at the venue took objection to it and asked the driver to remove the vehicle.

The driver said that he will leave as soon as the passenger paid the fare. But the security staff lifted the car by crane and placed it away. Another member of the security deflated the car tyres.

Angered by this, nearly 500 cab drivers hired by the conference organisers, raised slogans against the authorities and laid siege of the premises. They squatted on the road, seeking action against the security staff.

A few policemen who were posted at the hall entrance tried to diffuse the situation, but their attempts failed. Sensing trouble, the hall’s manager rushed to the spot and apologized to the drivers, after which, the issue was resolved.