Private bus operators on indefinite strike in Orissa

Bhubaneswar, Aug 12 (UNI) Thousands of passengers were left stranded at various bus stops across Orissa as private bus operators went on an indefinite strike protesting against the highhandedness of the Transport Authority.

All Orissa Private Bus Operators Association (AOPBOA) spokesman Debashish Nayak said over 6000 private buses were off the road following the indefinite stir.

A delegation of the bus operators had gone to meet the Transport Commissioner at Cuttack to discuss their problems. The Transport Commissioner was absent and they met other senior officials to sort out their problems.

However, the discussion turned into a heated exchange of words between the bus operators and the Transport Authority officials, who later used the police force to push the bus operators out of the office, sources said.

Peeved at the highhandedness of the STA officials, the AOPBOA convened an emergent meeting at Cuttack last night and passed an unanimous resolution to go for an indefinite strike from midnight today.

However, the bus operators this morning decided to go for strike immediately, paralysing the transport services in the state.

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