Berhampur: At least 6 police personnel were reportedly injured in a clash with drivers during the latter’s state-level agitation at Berhampur in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Thursday evening.
According to sources, the incident took place when the members of Drivers’ Ekata Mahamancha, which has started the indefinite strike since Wednesday, were trying to stop the inter-state commercial vehicles at Pokadibandh Chhak in the city.
As tension built up due to forceful blockade of the vehicles from outside the state, the police rushed to the spot to restore normalcy. As the police tried to disperse the agitating drivers, a clash ensued between the two groups.
Enraged by the police action, the agitators started pelting stones at the police. Even as the police tried to save themselves with defensive tactics, six personnel reportedly sustained injuries in the attack.
The injured police personnel included IIC of Golanthara police station Bibekananda Mohanty, 2 ASIs of Gopalpur police station and one constable of BNPur police station. They were rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital at Berhampur. Palpable tension continued to prevail in the area till the report was filed.
Due to the demonstration and rasta roko by the drivers from Lanjipalli on the outskirts of Berhampur city to Girisola on the border with Andhra Pradesh, hundreds of trucks and tankers have been stranded on the National Highway on both sides of the border.
Notably the drivers of bus, truck and taxi under the banner of Drivers’ Ekata Mahamancha started the indefinite strike to press their 10-point charter of demands including social security and pension. Formation of a welfare fund, death benefits and pension after 60 years of age are among their other demands.
Also Read: Drivers’ Strike In Odisha: Hundreds Of Trucks From Andhra Stranded On NH – odishabytes
