Agitating truckers call off strike after Centre says it is open to consider concerns

The nationwide strike called by truck drivers in protest against the new hit-and-run cases-related penal provision was called off on Tuesday (January 2) by the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) after the Centre assured that it will decide on implementing the law only after consulting with the union.

The announcement from the government’s side was made by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla.

"We had a discussion with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives... the government wants to say that the new rule has not been implemented yet. We all want to say that before implementing Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita 106/2, we will have a discussion with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives and then only we will take a decision," he told reporters.

He also appealed to the AIMTC and all the agitating drivers to return to work.

"The government wants to point out that these new laws and provisions have not yet come into force. We would also like to point out that the decision to invoke Section 106 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita will be taken only after consultation with the All India Motor Transport Congress," he said after a meeting with a delegation of the AIMTC.

'Govt taking note of concerns of truckers'

Bhalla said the government has taken cognisance of the concerns of truckers regarding the provision of 10 years imprisonment and fine and held the detailed discussion with the representatives of the All India Motor Transport Congress over the issue.

Meanwhile, a home ministry spokesperson said the government also assured the delegation of agitating truckers that it is ready to consider with an "open heart" all their concerns, and appealed them to return to work.

According to the new BNS provision, "Whoever causes death of any person by rash and negligent driving of vehicle not amounting to culpable homicide, and escapes without reporting it to a police officer or a magistrate soon after the incident, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description of a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine." The MHA spokesperson termed the meeting "successful".

After the meeting with the Home Secretary, AIMTC representatives told reporters that they will not allow the new laws to be implemented.

"Ye kanoon abhi tak laagu nahi hai (This law has not been implemented yet) ... Ham ye kanoon laagu nahi hone denge (We will not allow these laws to be implemented)," AIMTC chairman-organising committee Bal Mankit Singh said.

Singh also asked truckers to call off the agitation.

He also said that the government has assured that new laws concerning hit-and-run cases will be implemented after discussion with the AIMTC.

A top government source said, "The Home Secretary had a discussion with AIMTC representatives. The issue has been resolved. The new law and its provision have not been implemented yet." The meeting was held against the background of some truck, bus and tanker operators beginning a three-day strike on Monday against the stringent jail and fine regulations under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) for hit-and-run cases. The punishment in such cases was two years in the British-era Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Trucks off the roads, crowd at petrol depots

About 2,000 petrol pumps, mostly in western and northern India, ran out of fuel stocks due to the strike.

While State-owned oil firms had topped up tanks at most petrol pumps across the country in anticipation of the truckers' strike, some petrol pumps in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab ran out of stock due to heavy rush, industry officials said.

There were concerns that essential supplies of vegetables, fruits and milk too might be affected if the three-day strike is extended.

Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), set to replace the Indian Penal Code, drivers who cause serious road accidents due to negligent driving and run away without informing authorities face up to 10 years in prison or a fine of ₹7 lakh.

(With inputs from agencies)