Truck drivers end strike after talks with Home Ministry

New Delhi, January 02: The nationwide agitation led by truckers has come to an end following the government's assurance of engaging in discussions with stakeholders before implementing a controversial law related to hit-and-run incidents. After extensive deliberations with the government, the All-India Motor Transport Congress decided to withdraw the protest.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla emphasised, "We had a discussion with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives... the government wants to say that the new rule has not been implemented yet. We all want to say that before implementing Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita 106/2, we will have a discussion with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives, and then only we will take a decision."

Bal Malkit, the chairman of the AIMTC's core committee, confirmed, "The new laws have not been implemented. It will be implemented only after consultation with All India Transport Congress."

The protest primarily revolved around Section 106(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS), which is slated to replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code. This section introduced stringent penalties for hit-and-run cases, prompting truckers to threaten a nationwide strike, raising concerns about potential shortages of fuel and essential items.

The protests had spread across various states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

Under the proposed law, hit-and-run incidents could result in a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail and a fine of ₹7 lakh, a significant increase from the existing penalty of up to a two-year jail term and a lighter fine. The 10-year punishment would apply when the offender causes death through reckless driving and leaves the scene without reporting the incident to the police.

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Concerns voiced by truckers, cab drivers, and other operators of commercial vehicles centered around the financial burden of such hefty fines in the event of an accident.

Experts have cautioned about the potential misuse of the law, emphasising the need for a careful process of informing authorities due to the risk of public backlash. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the acceptability of evidence in case of disputes related to hit-and-run incidents.

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