Normalcy to resume within a day or two as truck drivers return to work: AIMTC

New Delhi: Truck drivers who had gone on strike to protest against the new stringent law on hit-and-run cases are gradually returning to work, and normalcy is expected to resume in a day or two, according to the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), the truckers' body.

AIMTC statement came a day after the Centre assured truck drivers that the law will be implemented after consultations with AIMTC.

Following the assurances, AIMTC had on Tuesday appealed to the protesting truck drivers to end their strike after receiving assurance from the government that the decision to impose harsh penalties for hit-and-run cases under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) would be made after consulting with the truckers' body.


Representatives of AIMTC met Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Tuesday to discuss the issue of stringent provisions for hit-and-run cases.

AIMTC General Secretary N K Gupta stated, "We had not called for a strike... striking drivers are now returning to work, and normal operations will be restored within one or two days." Gupta further assured the drivers that they need not worry and should contribute to the growth of the economy by joining work.

The three-day strike by truck, bus, and tanker operators began on Monday in several states to protest against the "stringent punishments" as outlined in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Under this new law, which is set to replace the Indian Penal Code, drivers who cause serious road accidents due to negligent driving and flee the scene without informing the authorities may face up to 10 years in prison or a fine of Rs 7 lakh. Previously, the punishment for such cases under the British-era Indian Penal Code (IPC) was two years.

On Tuesday, long queues of motorists were observed in many parts of Punjab and a few areas of Haryana due to concerns that supplies would soon run out as a result of the truckers' strike. However, the situation at petrol pumps in Punjab is gradually returning to normal on Wednesday as fresh stocks are being replenished.