Assam is staring at a 48-hour state-wide driver protest from Friday morning, seeking the scrapping of the new hit-and-run law despite the Centre’s assurance on Tuesday to put the legislation on hold — a move that could cause massive disruption in the transportation of goods and passenger service.
R. Ahmed, convener of the Joint Forum of All Assam Motor Organisations, told The Telegraph that they don’t have any option but to express their opposition to the new law, the implementation of which will see them “leave the profession” given the stiff punishment of 10 years in jail or a penalty of Rs 7 lakh in a hit-and-run case. The punishment is for those who flee the accident site.
The new hit-and-run law could see a driver involved in a fatal road mishap face up to 10 years in jail and a fine of Rs seven lakh if he/she flees the scene without informing the police/administration.
“Our members will not report for duty for 48 hours — from 5am on Friday to 5am on Sunday. This is just the beginning. If the law is not repealed, we will intensify our protests,” he said hours after addressing a media meet in Guwahati on the 48-hour cease-work.
When asked why they were launching the cease-work after Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla had announced on Tuesday that the new law would not be implemented without discussion with stakeholders, Ahmed said: “We don’t know what decision has been taken. There has been no discussion with our national body in Delhi, the All India Road Transport Workers Federation.”
Bhalla had met representatives of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) and announced that the new law would not be implemented without discussion with stakeholders. Soon after the announcement, the truckers had put off their three-day nationwide strike.
If the Assam drivers' forum goes ahead with its plan, the state as well as the entire Northeast could see major disruption in supplies of essential goods, fuel and LPG and passenger service because the members of the forum include cab, truck, bus, auto, tanker drivers and staff. There are over three lakh professional drivers and vehicle staff in the state, Ahmed said.
Any cease-work by drivers will impact the whole of the Northeast since Assam is the commercial hub for the other states in the region, a vehicle owner said, appealing for a relook at the law which could have an adverse impact on the transport sector if implemented without discussions with stakeholders.
The Agents and Luxury Bus Owners Association of Assam said that they were not part of the cease-work but a bus owner said that if the cease-work was implemented, it could impact their service because they would have to deal with “driver solidarity”.
Sources said efforts were on to convince the driver fraternity not to go ahead with the cease-work for now.
Assam has a BJP-led government since 2016.
The Joint Forum of All Assam Motor Organisations (JFAAMO) has 10 associations under its fold including the All Assam Motor Workers Joint Council, North East Petroleum Mazdoor Union and the All India Road Transport Workers Federation, Assam State Committee, Ahmed said.
The forum also included the All Assam Cab Operators Union, North East Heavy Goods Carrier and Owners and Drivers Welfare Association, Motor Paribahan Sewa Karmi Sanmilita Mancha, North East Truck Owners Association, Greater Guwahati Metro Share Taxi Coordination Committee, Greater Guwahati Auto Owners Association and Day-Night Bus Service Drivers Association.
