The Federation of Karnataka Truck Owners Association announced on Saturday that it will launch an indefinite strike from January 17 in protest of the new hit-and-run law. C. Naveen Reddy, President of the association, said that the members held a meeting to discuss the new law and decided to go on strike from January 17. He asserted that the new law stipulates that a driver’s driving license is seized when an accident occurs in a foreign country.
He said that this would create problems for the truck drivers, as they would have to seek bail from the local security personnel in connection with the incident. He stated their demand, that is that this provision in the law should be scrapped immediately.
He also stated their other demands, which include the release of trucks that are seized in case of accidents and the reduction of fines that are imposed on the grounds of unnecessary traffic congestion. He said that drivers across the country are concerned about the new proposal to levy huge fines of seven lakhs and 10 years imprisonment for hit-and-run cases.
He expressed the truck drivers’ anger that the government made a one-sided decision without consulting the truck owners or anyone from the transport sector. He thinks that this move by the Central government might discourage drivers from continuing their profession.
He said that the harsh laws in the proposed act should be eased considering the interests of the truck industry and drivers. Vice President Srinivasa Rao, Suresh, Mansoor Ibrahim, and General Secretary Narayana Prasad were also present at the press conference.
