The Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners’ Association has announced that it will go on an indefinite strike from January 17 to protest the new hit-and-run law under the new Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). The decision comes despite the Centre's assurance to truckers that the new laws will be implemented only after discussions with the stakeholders.
Under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which replaced the colonial era Indian Penal Code, drivers who cause a serious road accident by negligent driving and run away without informing the police or any official from the administration can face punishment of up to 10 years or a fine of Rs 7 lakh.
Following the Centre's promise, the truckers' body All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) called off its stir last week.
However, C Naveen Reddy, president of the Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners’ Association, said the Union government has not given anything in writing. "Though the union government called us for discussions on this unruly law, the officials have not given anything in writing. This is a unilateral decision by the union government, and they did not consult us before arriving at such a hasty decision," he told reporters on Saturday.
Reddy added that the stir would be indefinite. "We have decided to spare essential commodities like milk, petrol, diesel, vegetables, water, medicines, and ambulances. We have requested that they adhere to their regular schedules," Reddy added.
He added that the new law will stop truck drivers from pursuing their profession. "In every hit-and-run case, the cases are filed only on huge vehicles, while small vehicles are let off," he said adding that traffic norms are not keenly followed in many villages.
The Karnataka truckers' decision comes as drivers of commercial vehicles, including trucks and tankers, stopped work in parts of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab last week. They also blocked roads in some places to protest against the provision in the new penal law regarding hit-and-run accident cases involving motorists.
The protest had triggered a panic buying with people rushing to petrol pumps in various cities fearing the agitation would hit the fuel supply.
