Trucker protests called off after Centre assures of discussions
Home Secretary Bhalla stated, “We discussed with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives. The government wants to emphasize that the new law has not been implemented yet. We assure you that before implementing Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 106/2, we will discuss with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives.”
- New Delhi - UPDATED: January 2, 2024, 11:35 PM - 2 min read
Truck drivers had launched a nationwide agitation as protest against the new laws.
Nationwide protests by truck drivers against an increase in penalties for hit-and-run cases in the recently enacted criminal code affected fuel supplies in certain areas on Tuesday. The government engaged with the protesting transporters, and following a late evening meeting between Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and representatives from the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), the strike was called off.
After the meeting, Home Secretary Bhalla stated, “We discussed with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives. The government wants to emphasize that the new law has not been implemented yet. We assure you that before implementing Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 106/2, we will discuss with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives.”
Truck drivers had taken to the streets in Jammu & Kashmir, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Some protests also occurred in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal. They were urging the government to withdraw a provision in the newly passed Bharat Nyay Sanhita, which increases the imprisonment period from two years to ten years in hit-and-run cases.
AITMC members addressing the media after meeting with the Home Secretary
The AIMTC expressed that if the law is not rescinded, many drivers will quit their jobs. Approximately 60-70 per cent of trucks had been off the roads for the last two days due to the protests. A significant number of the around 1 crore truck drivers in the country participated in the strike.
Officials in the Home Ministry clarified that there is confusion regarding Section 106 (2) of the Bharat Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Under the BNS, Section 106 (1) provides for a punishment of 0-5 years, while Section 106 (2) stipulates a punishment of 0-10 years in ‘hit and run’ cases.
Malkit Singh Bal, the chairman of the AIMTC, mentioned, "We met and discussed the provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and all issues have been resolved. The new laws have not been implemented yet and will only be implemented after consultation with AIMTC."
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