Talks fail: private bus, lorry strike to continue

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 31 (UNI) The Bus and Lorry Owners Assocation has decided to continue its ongoing strike as talks with the Chief Minister and Transport Minister failed today.

Heavy vehicles in the state, including private buses and lorries went off the roads from October rpt October 29 midnight in protest against the government order making compulsory the use of speed governors.

Association leaders were firm that the Transport Commissioner should withdraw the order that fitness certificates would be issued only to vehicles fitted with speed governors.

After the talks with Chief Minister V S Achutanandan and Transport Minister Mathew T Thomas, the Association leaders said they welcomed the government's decision to bring in an ordinance against the SC order on speed governors. However, the strike would continue as it was still mandatory for vehicles to fit speed governors for new registrations and fitness certificates, they added.

Meanwhile, mini-lorries and vans also decided to stop their services from midnight expressing solidarity with the strike.

As the strike entered the second day today, commuters faced serious problems, particularly in the northern districts of Kannur, Kozhikode and Kasaragod, where private buses were depended upon.

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