Karnataka Truck Drivers Strike From Today Over Hit-And-Run Law

Truckers in Karnataka are set to go on an indefinite strike starting January 17th in protest of harsh penalties for hit-and-run cases under the new Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).

Despite an earlier cancellation of a strike call following a meeting with the union home ministry, lorry owner representatives still feel unsafe and unheard.

The president of the Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners' Association, C Naveen Reddy said,''The hit-and-run cases under the new criminal law Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita have not been withdrawn yet, despite the union government's claim that it is kept in abeyance. However, we haven't received any assurance in writing. All drivers are also in support of this strike. We have decided to proceed with the strike from January 17.''

Meanwhile, the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association has opposed the strike, opting to continue operations as usual.

The recently introduced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which supersedes the Indian Penal Code (IPC), imposes penalties of up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 7 lakh for truck drivers involved in fatal hit-and-run incidents. In contrast, the previous IPC section 304(A) considered such accidents as causing death by negligence, not amounting to homicide, with a maximum punishment of two years of imprisonment.

What are the demands of truck drivers?

• To eliminate sections 1 and 2 of section 106 in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
• Abolition of Transport Department checkpoints at state borders.
• Reduction of the fine for excess projection to Rs 20,000.
• Government issuance of Fitness Certificates and permit renewals without blacklisting.
• Withdrawal of the order banning goods vehicles from entering the city during peak hours.
• Cessation of the practice of police confiscating the driver's license at the time of the accident.
• Police refraining from recommending the suspension of licenses to the Transport department for drivers involved in accidents.
• State government instruction to the police not to penalize drivers of breakdown vehicles under section 283.