Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 1: Oil tanker drivers/operators today went on 72-hr strike across Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh, demanding revocation of new law on road accident cases.
The entire operation at oil depots of Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum at Jammu Railway Station, remained suspended through out the day today. Not even a single vehicle was allowed to be loaded at the Jammu oil depot.
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Since morning, the oil tanker operators started parking their vehicles outside the depot. Many of them handed over the keys to the owners, as mark of protest against the law of ten years imprisonment and Rs 7 lakh fine in case of `hit and run’ case/accident. Then they assembled in large number and held protest demonstration outside the Railway Station Oil Depot. They were shouting slogans in support of their demand and roll back on this law.
Parwinder Singh, senior member of the Tanker Drivers Union said that the new law enacted by Modi Government with regard to 10 years imprisonment and Rs 7 lakh fine on a driver in case of accident ( Hit & Run) was not acceptable. He said no driver wants accident with his vehicle and if this happens, the driver is either severely beaten up by the mob or sometimes he is done to death. In some cases, the vehicles are burnt or damaged. Driver has the right to first protect his life. He is ready to face legal action in the court of law. A system was already there to punish guilty in the accident cases. What was the need to enact yet another law, he asked.
K D Wani former Oil Tankers Union president said that from today onwards over 2000 oil and LPG tanker drivers in J&K and Ladakh have gone on strike. About 400-500 tankers are operating on daily basis from Jammu Oil depot. They are connected with the essential supplies. They are providing fuel to Army, paramilitary forces in J&K and Ladakh besides administration and civilians. They have been forced by the Government to suspend operation. The Government must roll back on this black law as it was not acceptable to them. He said this strike is being held on all India basis.
Wani said the operation at FCI deport at Railway Station also remained suspended with the strike of truckers. From tomorrow truck operators in entire J&K will go on strike. A joint meeting in this regard is going to be held tomorrow. He said the big tankers operating from Bathinda, Jalandhar and Haryana etc have already gone on strike. The J&K Tankers Union is on 72 hour strike from today.
Wih this many petrol pumps in Kashmir, Ladakh and other remote areas of Valley besides Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar etc may face crisis in coming days.
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