Truckers end stir after getting assurance from Centre over new hit-and-run law

Under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, drivers who cause a serious road accident by negligent driving and run away without informing the police or any official from the administration, can face punishment of up to 10 years or a fine of Rs 7 lakh.

As the truckers’ protest gathers wind, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla met the representatives of All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) to discuss their demands on Tuesday. The truckers and the government agreed that transport workers would resume their work immediately following the meeting.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said, “We had a discussion with the All India Motor Transport Congress representatives. The government has agreed that the new rule has not been implemented yet. We all want to say that before implementing Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 106/2, we will have a discussion with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives and then only we will take a decision.”

Earlier, sources said that the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) has not yet given a nationwide strike call in support of the demand for the withdrawal of new stringent imprisonment provisions for hit-and-run accident cases under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.

The Government and the transporters have agreed that transport workers will resume their work immediately, they appeal to truck drivers to resume work. https://t.co/9V6E4TOmOf

— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2024

Addressing reporters, AIMTC president Amritlal Madan said, “The government must withdraw the provisions relating to hit- and run cases in the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita”. AIMTC Chairman-organising committee Bal Mankit Singh urged the government not to drag the issue for long as was done in the case of the Farmers law. He regretted that the government did not consult with the stakeholders.

Under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, drivers who cause a serious road accident by negligent driving and run away without informing the police or any official from the administration can face punishment of up to 10 years or a fine of Rs 7 lakh.

The punishment in such cases was 2 years in the British-era Indian Penal Code (IPC). The new provisions triggered strikes by drivers in some states, including Maharashtra, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Massive queues of customers were seen at fuel stations across these states on Tuesday as the truckers’ strike hit supplies and triggered a panic buying by people.

Strike called off in Nashik
Meanwhile, truck drivers protesting the new law on hit-and-run road accidents called off their strike in Maharashtra’s Nashik following the assurance given by local authorities to look into their demands. In Nashik, the fuel transporters started the agitation at Panewadi near Manmad on Monday. More than 1,000 trucks and tankers were parked in Panewadi area as part of the nationwide protest.

Chandigarh implements petrol and diesel sale cap
Earlier in the day, the Chandigarh administration capped the sale of fuel amid a rise in panic buying amid the ongoing protests by truck drivers over stricter punishments in the new law on hit-and-run cases. The move comes as motorists queued up at fuel stations in the city over fears that stocks would run dry soon if the strike continues. As per the Chandigarh administration order, two-wheelers will be allowed a maximum of two litres of fuel per transaction and four-wheelers five litres.

(With inputs from PTI)

News Source:- INDIA TV