Drivers of commercial vehicles, including trucks and tankers, went on strike across many Indian states on January 1 to protest a clause in the new penal code relating to hit-and-run traffic accidents.
The Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, which is expected to replace the Indian Penal Code, has a clause that sanctions up to ten years in prison for drivers who cause a serious road accident by careless driving and depart the scene without contacting police or administration officials. For hit-and-run offenses, the new law imposes a 10-year prison sentence and a fine of Rs. 7 lakh.
In response to the demonstrations:
Truck drivers in Maharashtra held ‘rasta roko’ rallies in various locations, raising concerns about impending fuel shortages. According to reports, certain gas pumps in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district have stopped working.
Protesters parked automobiles on highways in the districts of Kheda, Valsad, Gir Somnath, Bharuch, and Mehsana. Highways like as Mehsana-Ambaji and Ahmedabad-Indore were clogged.
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Protests caused traffic bottlenecks on several highways in Rajasthan, including Dholpur-Karauli, Udaipur-Nathdwara, Sawai Madhopur-Kota Lalsot, Bhilwara-Ajmer, and Anupgarh-Ganganagar. Roadways bus operations were disrupted, however they were restored following police involvement.
Madhya Pradesh Protests resulted in road blockades and long lines at petrol pumps due to concerns of a disruption in fuel delivery. Blockades on the Mumbai-Agra National Highway have been reported, impeding vehicle mobility and crucial commodities transport.
The walkout underscores transportation industry concerns and opposition to some parts of the new penal code.
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