• Source:PTI
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Truckers' Stir: Amid the protest by truck drivers against the law regarding hit-and-run road accident cases involving motorists, the Maharashtra government has requested police to ensure an uninterrupted supply of petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders in the market. In a letter to all police commissioners and superintendents, the Maharashtra Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department expressed concern about the stir and its effect on the fuel supply.

ALSO READ: Chakka Jam: Truckers Stage Fervid Protest Against New Law Proposing 10-Year Jail For Drivers In ‘Hit And Run Cases’, Seek Rollback

As the Transport Association and drivers protested against the new law, long queues were seen at petrol pumps in Nagpur. A similar view was also seen at fuel pumps in Himachal Pradesh's Dharamshala.

Under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which replaced the colonial era Indian Penal Code, drivers who cause a serious road accident by negligent driving and run away without informing the police or any official from the administration can face punishment of up to 10 years or a fine of Rs 7 lakh.

Drivers Protests In Madhya Pradesh

On Monday, drivers of commercial vehicles, including trucks and tankers, stopped work in parts of Madhya Pradesh and blocked roads at some places to protest against the provision in the new penal law regarding hit-and-run accident cases.

Madhya Pradesh Transport Minister Rao Uday Pratap Singh appealed to the agitating drivers to discuss the issue with the government. Adding, the minister said the government will ensure smooth movement of people and vehicles on priority.

"Enacting a law doesn’t mean it was made to take penal action against them. They should sort out the issue through discussions. We will talk to them," he said as quoted by news agency PTI.

Protests In Chhattisgarh

A similar stir was also seen in Chhattisgarh as truckers stopped work and staged protests at several places in the state demanding the withdrawal of the provision in the new penal law regarding hit-and-run accident cases. The protests caused inconvenience to several commuters and also affected the transportation of goods to an extent.

(With Inputs From Agencies)