2023–2024 Indian truckers' protests

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2024 Indian protest against new law on hit and run
DateJanuary 1, 2024 (2024-01-01)
Location
India
Caused byNew Hit and Run laws
Goals
  • Revocation of the new law
MethodsGherao (encirclement), dharna (sit-in), raasta roko (traffic obstruction), demonstration, counterlegislation
Parties
  • All India Transport Congress
Lead figures

The 2023–2024 Indian truckers' protest is a protest against new law dealing with the hit-and-run cases in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which will replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC). It has a provision under Section 106 (2), that attracts punishment of up to 10 years for drivers and a fine of ₹7 lakh who cause a serious road accident by negligent driving and run away without informing the police or any official from the administration.[1][2] Large-scale traffic congestion on roads caused by the protests caused inconvenience for citizens in many states, including Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. In many locations, there were lengthy lines at gas stations as residents hurried to fill up their cars in anticipation of a possible gasoline shortage brought on by the protest.[3][4]

Approximately 2,000 gas stations, primarily in western and northern India, have ran out of fuel as the truckers' associations' strike started its second day on Tuesday.[5] In advance of the truckers' strike, state-owned oil companies topped off tanks at the majority of gas stations nationwide; nonetheless, excessive traffic caused several gas stations in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Punjab to run out of stock, according to industry authorities.[6][7] On 2 January, Chandigarh imposed restrictions on the sale of petrol and diesel at fuel stations after a strike.[8] According to Union estimates, there is a $12 million revenue loss daily due to the strike.[9]

Background

See also: Motor Vehicles Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

The new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, which includes a hit-and-run statute, is being opposed by truck drivers. It is the criminal code that will replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC).[10] The new law imposes a ₹7 lakh fine and a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for hit-and-run incidents. In the event of an accident, truckers, cab drivers, and other commercial vehicle operators wonder how they would afford such a hefty charge.[11] The new regulation, according to Happy Sidhu, head of the All Punjab Truck Operators' Union, is a "black law" that will ruin Punjab's trucking industry.[12][13]

Protest demands

The nation's largest truckers' association, AIMTC, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah last week, bringing to their attention the fact that drivers face the danger of violent mobs at accident scenes and that police often blame large vehicles for accidents without carrying out a thorough investigation. The head of the AIMTC's core committee, Bal Malkit Singh, stated, "We call upon the government to open channels for dialogue and work towards a solution that addresses concerns of all stakeholders," according to The Times of India. On January 1, the Indian Gig Workers Front (IGWF) sent a letter to the Collector asking for more information and supporting the act's continued categorization as a criminal subject to bail.[14]

Protests and incidents

On 1 January, Hundreds of truck and commercial vehicle drivers blocked NH 2 near Dankuni toll plaza in West Bengal's Hooghly district for about two hours and protesting against the new law for hit-and-run. According to police, they started blocking the road in Chandithara around 10.30am by burning tires and parking cars in the middle of the road. Senior police officers from Chandithara and Dankuni police stations rushed to the spot and convinced the truck driver to lift the blockade.[15]

On January 1, Police said that a protest by truck drivers against the Centre's new law on hit-and-run cases in Rajasthan's Kekri district turned violent, with the mob burning a police vehicle and pelting stones at security personnel, injuring three people. "While the police were clearing the traffic jam on the Ajmer-Bhilwara Expressway, a mob pelted stones at the police, injuring three policemen. A vehicle of the Khekri town police station was also burnt down," said sanjay singh, a police officer.[16][17]

On January 2, At the Magdalla junction near Dumas in Hazira, a police control room mobile patrolling van found several truck drivers causing a chakka jam and stopping the bus. hundreds of truck drivers in Surat took to the roads and stopped a state-run bus that was traveling to Dumas at Maldala junction. Some angry drivers were allegedly involved in a scuffle.. The event resulted in the detention of twenty-three drivers. Constable Suresh Bijal attempted to maintain order but was hurt in the altercation that started when he attempted to disperse the demonstrators. An offence was reported to Dumas police by an injured police constable. Sureshbhai, the police policeman, is in normal condition. 23 drivers were detained under IPC sections 143, 147, 332, 323, 341, 504, 506, and 114.[18]

Response and reactions

After a meeting between AIMTC and Union Home Minister Ajay Bhalla on 2 January, AIMTC announced that the new rules imposing 10 years' imprisonment and fine in hit-and-run cases will be stayed till the next Parliament. "No new laws regarding hit-and-run incidents will be enacted in the next parliamentary session," said AIMTC president Amritlal Madan.[19] “The government wants to point out that these new laws and provisions have not yet come into force, The decision to impose new penalties will be “taken only after consultation with the AIMTC”” the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement.[20][21]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Petrol pumps run dry across northern India as truckers protest new hit and run laws". The Independent. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  2. ^ Livemint (3 January 2024). "Truck drivers' protest: All you need to know about nationwide protest". mint. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  3. ^ "What is the new hit-and-run law that has led to pan-India protests by truckers?". Financialexpress. 2 January 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Traffic Chaos In India As Truckers Protest Harsher Hit-and-run Law - ARAB TIMES - KUWAIT NEWS". www.arabtimesonline.com. 2 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  5. ^ "2,000 petrol pumps run dry in western and northern India as truck drivers protest against new hit-and-run law". Business Today. 2 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  6. ^ "About 2,000 petrol pumps run dry as truckers strike against new penal code". The Times of India. 2 January 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  7. ^ "India: Fuel running out as truckers strike — reports – DW – 01/02/2024". dw.com. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  8. ^ "India's Chandigarh city restricts fuel sales as transporters' protest disrupts supply". Reuters. 2 January 2024.
  9. ^ "India Truckers Strike Threatens Food, Fuel, Goods Supplies". Bloomberg.com. 2 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  10. ^ "What is India's new hit-and-run law? Why has it led to nationwide protests?". Firstpost. 2 January 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  11. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (2 January 2024). "Truckers strike sets off panic buying of fuel in several States". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Truckers' Protest Against New Hit-And-Run Law Prompts Rush At Fuel Pumps". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Explainer: Why truck drivers are protesting against new law for hit-and-run cases". The Times of India. 2 January 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  14. ^ "What is India's new hit-and-run law? Why has it led to nationwide protests?". Firstpost. 2 January 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  15. ^ Kumar, Raju (1 January 2024). "Truckers' protest against new law on hit-and-run cases". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Violence during truckers' protest in Rajasthan's Kekri, three police personnel injured". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Violence during truckers' protest in Rajasthan's Kekri, 3 police personnel injured". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  18. ^ "23 drivers detained in Surat; fuel supply, trade largely 'unaffected' in Gujarat". The Indian Express. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  19. ^ "Drivers Strike Live News Updates: MHA agrees to keep new hit & run law on hold, says AIMTC". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  20. ^ Mehta, Tanvi (3 January 2024). "India transport workers call off protest after talks with govt". Reuters.
  21. ^ "India Truckers Call Off Strike After Talks With Modi Government". Bloomberg.com. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.

External links

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