Odisha Drivers’ Outfit Threatens To Launch Agitation Against New ‘Hit-And-Run’ Law

Bhubaneswar: Amid countrywide protest against the recently enacted ‘hit-and-run’ Law under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), Odisha Drivers’ Mahasangh on Thursday threatened to launch an agitation across the state demanding its immediate withdrawal,

Extending support to the stir launched by truck operators in several states against the ‘stringent’ provision, the Mahasangh that its drivers will also quit steering from tomorrow.

Terming the new provision as a ‘black law,’ president of the Mahasangh Prashant Menduli said that the drivers across Odisha would oppose it tooth and nail.

Stating that a meeting of the office-bearers of the associations from 27 other states was held on Wednesday and it was decided to continue the ‘quit-steering’ stir, he said.

Moreover, the Odisha government is also yet to meet our demand for insurance coverage, he said.

Stating that peaceful protest will be held across the state without resorting to any unlawful activities, Menduli said All India transporters association decided to withdraw their stir following talks with the Central government. However, drivers will continue the agitation, Menduli said.

It may be noted here that under provisions envisaged in the new law, hit-and-run cases can attract 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs seven lakh under the BNS. Drivers causing accidents and fleeing from the spot without reporting to authorities concerned will face severe penalties, the new law states.

Previously, there was a provision for imprisonment of two years under Section 304 of the IPC.