Drivers of other commercial vehicles, including trucks and tankers, blocked traffic in parts of Madhya Pradesh today in protest against the new law related to ‘hit and run’ cases. Long queues of vehicles formed at petrol pumps due to fear of disruption in oil supply in various cities. The protesting drivers also blocked the Mumbai-Agra National Highway and some roads in Indore, affecting the movement of vehicles carrying essential goods. In Bhopal, drivers stopped city buses and other vehicles while demonstrating in Lal Ghati. Some protesters also gathered at the board office intersection in MP Nagar. The Indian Penal Code, which replaces the Indian Penal Code, provides for up to 10 years in prison for drivers who cause a serious road accident by reckless driving and flee without informing the police or any administration official. Pramod Sikarwar, a protester in the intersection of the board office, said, “According to the new law, hit and run cases can be punished with 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs seven lakh. The new law is against the interests of drivers. Drivers don’t want to kill anyone but accidents happen. In such cases people turn against the drivers. We demand amendment in the new law.”
In Indore, buses were parked on the road at Ganguwal bus stand as a protest. Meanwhile, panic spread among the people due to the dharna. They fear that the protest may affect the supply of oil, due to which they sent wells to petrol pumps to get oil.
Madhya Pradesh Petroleum Association President Ajay Singh said, “In hit and run cases, the new law will apply not only to tankers or trucks but to all vehicles. There are problems in some places and people are scrambling to collect oil.”
All India Motor Transport Congress Transport Committee Chairman CL Mukati said that the government should focus on improving the road and transport system like other countries before bringing strict regulations on the lines of hit and run cases. Meanwhile, demonstrations were also held by drivers in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
