After a major strike led by truck, bus and tanker drivers to protest a hit-and-run law, the government finally intervened on the second day and convinced protesters to call off their three-day strike.
The development came after talks took place between the transport body representing the truck drivers, the All India Motor Transport Association (AIMTC) and the government officials. The government has reportedly assured protesters of a comprehensive discussion before implementing the law.
“We had a discussion with representatives of the All India Motor Transport Congress. The government wants to say that the new rule has not yet been implemented. We all want to say that we will have a discussion with All India before implementing Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 106/2.” “Motor Transport Congress representatives and only then will we take a decision,” says Union Home Minister Ajay Bhalla . The government clarified that the new regulation, which provides for sentences of up to 10 years in hit-and-run cases, has not yet been enforced.
The vehicle operators' class action lawsuit was in response to the provisions of the recently enacted law on harsh prison sentences and fines for hit-and-run accidents. While state-owned oil companies had refueled most gas stations as a preventive measure, increased demand led to inventory shortages at selected locations.
The nationwide transport strike continued for the second day on Tuesday, leading to significant queues at petrol stations due to disrupted fuel supply in states like Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra. A transport association claimed the strike was estimated to have disrupted the movement of around 500,000 vehicles in Madhya Pradesh.
Although state-owned oil companies had replenished fuel stocks at most petrol stations across the country in anticipation of the truckers' strike, a surge in demand led to depletion of stocks at certain petrol pumps in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab. The strike also affected truck traffic in certain western and northern states.
Since Monday, protesters also blocked roads and highways in various states, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
What is the new law?
The newly enacted law on hit-and-run cases, which replaces the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), provides for penalties of up to 10 years in prison or a fine of ₹7 lakh for drivers found to have caused a serious road accident through negligent driving and for those who subsequently flee without reporting the incident to the police or relevant authorities.
“Whoever causes the death of a person by a rash or negligent act not amounting to negligent homicide shall be punished with a prison sentence of any kind not exceeding seven years and shall also be liable to a fine,” the new law says Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Around 100,000 trucks are responsible for transporting gasoline, diesel and LPG from oil company depots to gas pumps and gas distribution agencies.
Truck drivers defend themselves by saying that even in minor accidents, the majority of truck drivers flee to avoid possible mob justice and the associated dangers to their lives.
Bal Malkit Singh, chairman of AIMTC's core committee, told a national news agency that truck drivers' concerns had been conveyed to the government. He says they were determined to prevent enforcement. He also appealed to truck drivers to return to their vehicles and drive off without worry.
