Trucker body calls off strike after assurance by government on deferment of proposed Hit-&-Run law

Trucker body calls off strike after assurance by government on deferment of proposed Hit-&-Run law

The allegedly spontaneous strike by truckers across India which went underway for the last two days has now been called off.

In a late evening meeting between All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) representing the trucking & transport community and Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, the concerns around the proposed Hit-&-Run law in the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023, have been put on hold.

The proposed law which has now been put on hold until the next meeting between the transport representatives and the government. It had called for stringent provisions, which included upto 10-years jail term or a fine of Rs 7 lakh.

The transport body had argued that while they did not question the intent behind the law, the lack of transparency proper investigation, unjust accusations against certain vehicles prevailed.

Meanwhile, the strike had created a sense of panic across the country with numerous motorists running around to fill their vehicles with petrol and diesel leading to several fuel stations grappling with shortage.

In a late evening message on popular social media X (formerly Twitter) Mumbai Police said that there was enough fuel in the city and requested vehicle owners not indulge in panic buying.

Request not to throng Petrol / Diesel/CNG pumps and indulge into panic buying. Don’t believe in rumours. There is enough stock available in Mumbai and we are providing adequate security to the tankers supplying petroleum products in Mumbai. Please spread the word.

— मुंबई पोलीस – Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) January 2, 2024