STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The union of the motor workers' associations of Assam has called for a 48-hour suspension of bus services across the state from January 5. Petrol depots will also remained closed during the 48 hours.
The All Assam Day-Night Super Bus Drivers' Union has announced a 48-hour suspension of bus services across the state. The drivers' union is demanding changes to the new law within the next two to three days, failing which they have threatened to extend the strike.
Rupam Dutta, an adviser to the union, expressed concerns about the survival of drivers' families if they are incarcerated before any court conviction, highlighting the demotivating impact on drivers ability to continue their services under such conditions. The union is calling for reconsideration of the legislation and the inclusion of industry viewpoints. The strike has been called for January 5 and 6, 2024. If the government does not address the union's concerns and revoke the act, the All Assam Day-Night (P) Super Bus Driver Union has vowed to permanently close commercial vehicles. This step is expected to affect passenger and freight transportation throughout the entire Northeast region.
The leaders of the union said the Union Home Minister introduced the topic of hit-and-run with the meaning that if a pedestrian or a two-wheeler driver is injured during an accident and the driver escapes from the spot after that, he will be liable to up to 10 years in prison or Rs 10 lakh in fine. If the driver informs the nearest police station and surrenders or takes the victim to the hospital, then the punishment will be reduced to half, they said. Even if there is no mistake, the driver will be liable for punishment. Also, it has been noticed that in the case of any accident that does not involve mistakes on the part of the driver, the public becomes violent and beats up the driver, which sometimes leads to the death of the driver, the leaders of the union said.
The union of the motor workers' associations of Assam demanded the repealing of the anti-driver hit-and-run law and called for a boycott of all services and not running their vehicles in the first stage of the protest on January 5 and 6.
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