COLVALE: Truck owners and operators from across Goa on Tuesday protested against the new hit-and-run law – the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita – which was passed by the Parliament, in the just concluded Winter Session. The law imposes stricter penalties for drivers who flee the accident scene after a hit-and-run accident with jail term of 10 years and a fine of Rs 7 lakh.
Truck drivers from Bardez protested at Colvale and decided to support the all-India truckers’ strike from Tuesday midnight to Wednesday midnight.
Truck driver Amit Astikar said that they are protesting against the new law and are supporting the all India truckers’ strike.
He said, “The driver is an employee and cannot pay Rs 7 lakh fine and suffer 10 years in jail. All truck drivers are supporting the demand to revoke this law.”
Another truck driver said, “We get between Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 salary. If we had Rs 10 lakh we would start our own business. We are supporting the all-India strike. They should revoke the law.”
When asked about the cases of hit-and-run where drivers escape with or without the vehicle, he said people who gather at accident sites invariably hit the driver, no matter whose fault it is.
A third driver said that taxi, tempo and rickshaw drivers should also support the 24-hour strike. They should also demand revocation of the law.
Truck driver Milind Shetye from Pernem said, “We hardly get Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 salary. Drivers work double shifts. The government can put restrictions on this. But it is not the fault of the driver always. But people always hit the driver. The law should not be so strict. The fine should be reduced. What will happen to the family if the breadwinner is sent to jail? The drivers can be fined if they are drunk, but the fine should not be so much.”
The truckers strike has led to a rush at various petrol stations across the State anticipating that fuel tankers will not be supplying fuel to the petrol stations in view of the strike. Motorists and two-wheeler riders alike were seen making a beeline at petrol pumps anticipating shortage of fuel supply.
