Protests by truck, bus and taxi operators across the state against the new hit-and-run cases law continued for the second day. The Penal Code Act, which replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), provides up to 10 years for fleeing the scene of an accident without reporting the incident.
Earlier, the punishment in such cases was two years in the IPC. But now, according to the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), drivers who cause a serious road accident by careless driving and run away without informing any official can face up to 10 years in jail or a fine of Rs 7 lakh.
On Tuesday, petrol pumps in Mumbai and Nagpur witnessed long queues as people came to fill their vehicles’ tanks fearing fuel shortages amid truck drivers’ protest against the provision of a new criminal law on motorist-involved accident cases.
Maharashtra
Truck drivers staged protests at many places in Maharashtra on Monday against the introduction of the new Penal Code. The protests have raised the specter of fuel shortages in some places.
Truck drivers allegedly blocked traffic on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway in Mira Bhayandar area of Thane district and pelted stones at policemen, injuring a policeman. A police vehicle was damaged by stone pelting.
Protests against the road blockade were also held in Solapur, Kolhapur, Nagpur and Gondia districts, officials said, adding that the situation in Navi Mumbai and other places was under control.
The Maharashtra government has asked the police to ensure uninterrupted supply of petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders to the market amid protests by truckers.
Rajasthan
“There was traffic jam on Dholpur-Karauli, Udaipur-Nathdwara, Sawai Madhopur-Kota Lalsot, Bhilwara-Ajmer and Anupgarh-Ganganagar route due to the protest. Road bus services were affected but resumed after police intervention,” Rajasthan State Roadways spokesperson said Ashutosh Awana Transport Corporation.
Madhya Pradesh
In Bhopal, drivers staged an agitation at Lalghati and stopped city buses and vehicles and some protesters also gathered at Board Office Square in MP Nagar.
Due to the protests by the drivers, road blockades were seen at some places in the state. Long queues were witnessed at petrol pumps due to panic fearing disruption of fuel supply in various cities.
Punjab
Many commercial vehicles, including trucks and buses, stopped plying across Punjab on Monday in protest against the new law. Truck drivers started a protest on Ludhiana-Ferozepur Road in Moga, disrupting traffic.
The protesters are said to be getting support from drivers associated with Punjab Roadways, Punjab Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) and private bus companies.
