Transport Strike Grips India as Drivers Protest New Hit-and-Run Laws, Fuel Supply Disruptions Feared

Transport Strike Grips India as Drivers Protest New Hit-and-Run Laws, Fuel Supply Disruptions Feared

Asif Iqbal | January 2, 2024 | 06:14 PM IST | India, Jammu Kashmir, Protests | Follow on Google News

Transport Strike Grips India as Drivers Protest New Hit-and-Run Laws, Fuel Supply Disruptions Feared.image/KL

Transport Strike Grips India as Drivers Protest New Hit-and-Run Laws, Fuel Supply Disruptions Feared

The commencement of 2024 ushered in a transport strike in multiple states as a response to an impending law regarding hit-and-run incidents. Truck, bus, and tanker drivers have brought their vehicles to a standstill, causing widespread road blockages as the strike extends into Tuesday.

On the second day of the strike, the disruption in fuel supply has led to long queues at petrol pumps nationwide. This three-day protest, initiated by drivers, opposes the stringent jail sentences and fines outlined in the recently introduced Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) for hit-and-run cases. Demonstrators have strategically blocked roads and highways in states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh since Monday. In various cities, locals are flocking to petrol pumps, anticipating fuel supply disruptions due to the ongoing agitation.

Under the new law, which replaces the Indian Penal Code, drivers responsible for serious accidents through negligent driving and fleeing without reporting to authorities could face up to 10 years in prison or a fine of Rs 7 lakh. Previously, road accidents were addressed under four sections of the IPC, with hit-and-run cases now categorized into two sections under BNS.

The first category involves negligent driving resulting in death, where the driver, if apprehended, could face five years in jail and a penalty. However, if the driver flees the scene after the accident, they could be sentenced to 10 years in prison and a compensation payment of Rs 10 lakh.

Drivers argue against the new regulations, contending that if they could afford such a penalty, they might as well pursue better employment opportunities. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita stipulates that individuals causing death due to rash or negligent acts not amounting to culpable homicide could face imprisonment for up to seven years and a fine.

Previously, individuals accused in hit-and-run cases were tried under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code, facing penalties of up to two years in jail upon identification.

In Kashmir, lengthy queues at petrol pumps are witnessed as Transport Association drivers protest the new hit-and-run law. Similar scenes unfold in other states across India, where concerns of a fuel shortage during the truck drivers’ protest are prevalent.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bhiduri, urges residents not to panic and rush to petrol pumps with vehicles and containers. He assures that the Valley has sufficient reserves of petrol, diesel, kerosene, and LPG to last for almost a month. Bidhuri emphasizes that the influx of people to petrol pumps would only result in unnecessary panic, reiterating the assurance that ongoing negotiations with transporters aim to prevent any scarcity of essentials, including petrol, diesel, and LPG, during the winter months in Kashmir.

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Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.