Assam: Motor workers’ protest paralyzes transport sector

Guwahati: Various organizations associated with the transport sector, including conductors of buses and trucks, from across the state have responded to the call to protest against the new law on strict action against those involved in rape and murder cases. The protest paralyzed the state’s transport sector on Friday, causing problems in the movement of goods as well as people in various parts of the state. The call for boycott of services had a widespread impact in the capital in the last hours of Thursday and Friday morning. While almost all the fuel stores in the city became empty on Thursday, on Friday morning citizens faced shortage of means of transportation. This has left many people waiting on the road without power to reach their offices or other destinations. Although some ASTC buses continued to operate, there were no urban private buses, commercial vehicles or small passenger buses on the roads. Our sources in Biswanath mention that the protest call resulted in a complete shutdown of services in the district. Employees of the sector have come in large numbers in front of the Carretera National and expressed their protest peacefully. Meanwhile, members of the truck drivers’ union of the district, who participated in the same protest, have adopted a new way of sharing their concerns. Protest members detained truck drivers who did not participate themselves and operated their vehicles and decorated each with a traditional Phulam Gamocha and informed them about the new law. Meanwhile, the district police has taken all necessary measures to avoid any adverse incident and at the time of filing this report the protesters were not involved in any adverse incident. Bongaigaon district also. The protesters briefly blocked National Highway 27 in Saktola area of the district. Demanding repeal of the law, the drivers said that in circumstances where the law is applicable, it would be better for them to stop driving commercial vehicles and dedicate themselves to working as daily wage labourers. After talks with the District Superintendent of Police, the protesters decided to remove control from the road, but continued their protest.