Drivers To Launch Indefinite Strike Across Odisha From March 15

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Drivers’ Mahasangh has decided to launch an indefinite strike from March 15 in support of its 10-point charter of demands.

The Mahasangh, in a release on Sunday, said around 5 lakh drivers would join the strike across the state. Except the vehicles for emergency services and those carrying students for Matriculation examinations, no vehicle would be allowed to ply on the roads during the strike, it added.

Stating that the drivers are forced to go for the strike due to the state government’s indifferent attitude to their condition, Mahasangh’s president Prashant Menduli sought the people’s support though they may face communication problem during the agitation.

He further said the drivers would resort to peaceful agitation and the vehicles engaged in emergency services like ambulance, Fire Brigade, schools and administration will be exempted from the strike.

Menduli threatened that if the government failed to meet their demands despite the strike, the members of the Mahasangh would contest against the ruling party members in all Assembly constituencies in the coming elections as a mark of protest.