Transport Commissioner Claims ‘Quit Steering’ Stir Suspended In Odisha; Know What Drivers Say

Bhubaneswar: The strike by members of the Odisha Drivers’ Mahasangha as part of the nationwide ‘quit steering’ protest against the new hit and run law was put on hold in the state on Saturday, a senior official said.

After a meeting with the protesters, Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur told reporters that the drivers of Odisha have agreed to suspend their agitation as the state government has fulfilled their demands.

Stating that most of the demands made by the drivers were fulfilled during talks between the state government and the Mahasangha, he said the agitating drivers have agreed to put on hold their stir following the discussion.

At the same time, their talks with the Central government are in progress, he said.
However, the protesters maintained that their agitation in the state would continue. Though the several demands were fulfilled by the state government, the issue relating to the drivers’ opposition to the new hit and run law is yet to be resolved by the Centre, they said.

Mahasangha leader Aditya Behera said discussion was held with the government on two broad areas and several demands pertaining to the state were fulfilled. However, the issue relating to the Central law on hit and run is yet to be settled and the stir will continue, he said.

Notably, around two lakh drivers in Odisha had joined the strike as part of the nationwide stir, affecting bus services and transport of essential commodities in the State.

While the strike has begun all over the country on Thursday, the Odisha Drivers’ Mahasangh later joined the strike after handing over their vehicles to their respective owners.