There is strong opposition to the new hit and run law brought by the central government.
Truck and dumper drivers have blocked roads across the country. These people say that a wrong law has been brought by the Central Government which should be withdrawn.
The effect of the Dryswar strike is visible in many areas including Delhi-NCR, UP, MP and Maharashtra.
Amidst the protests, people are reaching petrol pumps in various cities fearing that the movement may affect the supply of petrol and diesel. Huge crowd is being seen at petrol pumps in different parts.
The Indian Penal Code of the colonial era has been replaced by the Indian Judicial Code.
Under this, drivers who cause a serious road accident by negligent driving and flee without informing the police or any administration official can be punished with imprisonment of up to 10 years or a fine of Rs 7 lakh.
A protester from Bhopal said, ‘The new law is against the interest of drivers. Drivers don’t want to kill anyone, but accidents happen.
In such cases people turn against the driver. We demand that the new law be amended. Another protester said that we are all very worried about the new law. Strict provisions for punishment have been made in this. Looking at this, it seems that we will work as laborers but will not do driving.
‘The driver himself will have to take the injured to the hospital’
Congress Transport Cell official Jasbir Singh Khanuja said that All India Bus, Truck and Tanker operators are on strike on the appeal of Congress and other organizations.
He said that this strike is indefinite and the Central Government should pay attention in this regard. Khanuja said, ‘The transport business is already facing the problem of drivers.
Now, under the new proposed law, in case of a road accident, the driver will have to personally take the injured person or persons to the hospital and inform the police.
If the driver is found guilty, he will be sentenced to 7 to 10 years. Along with this, he will have to pay a fine ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 10 lakh.
‘Don’t let the mob catch you and kill you’
Khanuja said that in his country, if the driver stops there after a road accident, the mob will catch him and kill him. This is the biggest problem and hence if road accidents happen, the driver has no option but to run away.
He said that later the driver himself surrenders before the police. He runs just to escape the crowd. He says that this proposed law is planned to be implemented in the country from April 1.
After knowing the provisions of the new law, drivers are not ready to drive. Because of this the strike has started. This strike is indefinite.