Khadki, Daund , Pune: A widespread strike organized by the transport association and driver community has gripped Pune, with protestors taking to the streets to voice their dissent against a newly implemented law by the Centre. The demonstration, centered around the contentious penalties for hit-and-run cases, saw protestors blocking the Pune-Solapur national highway at Khadki in Daund taluka, causing traffic disruption and expressing concerns over the potential consequences of the law.
The strike, which gained momentum on Monday afternoon, witnessed association members and drivers staging a protest by blocking the Pune-Solapur national highway at Khadki. Burnt tires and blocked roads characterized the scene as the demonstrators voiced their opposition to the newly cleared Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita criminal code, which introduces stringent penalties, including a ₹7 lakh fine and a 10-year jail term for hit-and-run cases.
The traffic towards Pune came to a standstill for over an hour at approximately 1 pm, with passengers expressing frustration over the lack of response from the police and other authorities at the scene of the protest.
One of the primary concerns raised by the truckers involved the perceived unfairness of the law, arguing that the substantial penalty of ₹7 lakh and the extended jail term could lead to undue harassment, especially considering the financial constraints faced by many drivers.
Santosh Shinde, a driver participating in the protest, highlighted the financial challenges faced by drivers, emphasizing that the high penalties, coupled with loans, rising fuel prices, and additional costs related to accidents and breakdowns, pose a significant threat to the already slim profit margins in the transport business.
Protestors asserted that the stringent provisions of the new law might force them to shut down their businesses and demanded amendments to address what they consider to be unjust penalties.
The protest reflects a broader sentiment within the transport community, with concerns about the economic viability and feasibility of complying with the stringent provisions of the new law. The clash between regulatory measures and the practical challenges faced by drivers and transport businesses underscores the need for a nuanced approach to address the diverse issues within the industry.
