Northeast desk, 3rd Jan: Itanagar City faces a transportation crisis with three major petrol pumps shutting down amid a nationwide strike by drivers protesting recent amendments in the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023. The strike, fueled by discontent over increased jail terms in ‘hit-and-run’ cases, has united truckers, private bus operators, and government bus drivers in protest.
The drivers argue that the amended provisions unfairly penalize them for accidents caused by factors beyond their control. Concerns are raised about the unintended consequences of ‘hit-and-run’ scenarios, as drivers fear violence from enraged crowds, compelling them to flee the scene.
Expressing worries over the impact on their livelihoods, drivers contend that the stringent measures will deter them and instill fear about job security. They particularly emphasize accidents during poor visibility conditions, such as fog, where drivers should not face imprisonment for circumstances beyond their control.
The strike’s repercussions have left the transport system in disarray, with passengers stranded at bus stations nationwide. Itanagar City, in particular, grapples with fuel shortages as three key petrol pumps remain closed. Social media reports indicate that cab drivers in some states have also joined the protest, amplifying the strike’s nationwide impact.
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