Several truck drivers took to the streets of Agartala on Wednesday to protest the recent changes in the hit-and-run law that would enhance the jail terms and provisions of fines. The protestors demanded to repeal the amendments made in the law. The agitators included members of the Tripura Private Transport Mazdoor MahaSangh, which is affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) trade union front Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS). The agitators gathered in the heart of the city at Agartala City Center near Paradise Chowmuhani with banners against the recent changes in the law. MahaSangh general secretary Suman Sil said, “Many drivers feel that the new legal apparatus could adversely impact their livelihoods and the entire surface transport system at large. This can affect the transport sector.” One of the leaders of the MahaSangh said, “The law is against the drivers and transport workers. The new law specifies 10 years in jail and fine for an accident and to protest the same, we are holding demonstrations across the country for the next four days. Our organisation will write to Parliament to repeal the legislation and hold a mass demonstration on January 10. We shall go for a nationwide strike if our demands are not met within January 28.” One of the protestors, Khokan Ghosh, said he wants the new provisions of the hit-and-run law to be repealed but also said that he wants the law to take its own course to punish traffic rule offenders. A similar protest was held by the Tripura Private Transport Sangha’s Teliamura chapter in Khowai district, where protesters put up a road blockade on the National Highway 8. The blockade was later withdrawn after the police and administrative officials intervened. The nationwide protests started on January 1 this year with truck drivers joining various agitations against the new provision to deal with hit-and-run cases. In Tripura, while there was no major protest over the last two days, the agitators Wednesday voiced concerns about the changes in the law and said it could make it challenging for drivers to ply their vehicles. While different trade unions are protesting the amended law, those in favour of the government, mostly affiliates of the BMS, have demanded to repeal the law whilst supporting the need for stricter provisions. They say road accident fatalities have increased across the country and the problem needs to be addressed. Meanwhile, CPI(M) and CITU-affiliated All India Road Transport Workers Federation leader Amal Chakraborty said the trade union body will hit the streets in favour of the transport workers. Chakraborty said, “Laws are passed in Parliament by suspending Opposition MPs in order to stop them from opposing the laws.” “We are not against punishment for offenders as per the law. But the courts are there for it. The responsibility of an accident can’t be put on a driver alone. We are one with the truckers in their fight. We shall approach the drivers and transport workers and organise them. We will keep raising slogans to demand the repeal of the law,” Chakraborty said. He also questioned the role of the state government and asked why the ruling dispensation has chosen to remain silent on the entire subject so far. As per the new law, drivers could face imprisonment up to 10 years for fleeing and not reporting a fatal accident, which was previously a punishment of two years under Section 304 (A) of the Indian Penal Code for causing death by negligence.
