Bengaluru: Truck drivers in Karnataka have initiated an indefinite strike in protest against the newly introduced hit-and-run law, which imposes a hefty ₹7 lakh penalty and a 10-year jail term for the accused. The Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners’ Association called for the strike, stating that the union government made a “unilateral decision” without consulting them.
The law, part of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), represents a significant increase from the previous provision, which carried a two-year jail term. The strike is expected to impact logistics and fuel availability in the state.
This protest follows a nationwide three-day strike earlier in the month by operators of trucks, taxis, and buses opposing the same law. During that strike, transport unions in multiple states, including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar, kept vehicles off the road. The partial impact of the strike resulted in lower fuel availability, with oil tanker drivers also supporting the protest. Despite concerns about potential “undue harassment,” the central government has yet to withdraw the controversial provision.
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