Shillong, Jan 5: Tourist taxis across the state are poised to stage a 48-hour road strike starting January 5, protesting the anticipated increase in penalties for hit-and-run cases under the yet-to-be-enforced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Joining a nationwide movement, cab owners and drivers are voicing their opposition to the proposed legal changes. Notably, taxi and tour associations in Meghalaya have received communications from their Guwahati counterparts, urging support for this unified demonstration.

Bhaskar Deb, the General Secretary of the Khasi Hills Tourist Taxi Association, confirmed receiving a communication from Rabin Dutta, the President of the Greater Guwahati Tourist Taxi Association and the central body of Assam tour operators. According to the message, commercial vehicles are expected to stay off the roads from 5 am on January 5-6. In solidarity with their counterparts, Deb mentioned that they willingly extended their support to the cause.

“The government intends to come up with such a law that no driver will want to drive. Who would want to drive when there is Rs 10 lakh fine and imprisonment?” he asked.

Previously, the All India Motor Transport Association (AIMTC) opted to conclude the countrywide protests led by truck drivers against the new hit-and-run law. This decision came after receiving assurances from the concerned Ministry that the implementation of the law would only proceed following thorough consultations with AIMTC.

The All India Motor Transport Association (AIMTC) had initiated a strike in protest of the heightened penalties outlined in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The revised provisions stipulate a potential jail term of up to 10 years or a fine of Rs 7 lakh if a truck driver absconds from an accident scene or neglects to report the incident to authorities. This marks a substantial increase from the previous penalty of two years of imprisonment as per the erstwhile Indian Penal Code. Following a meeting with Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, the AIMTC opted to conclude the truck drivers’ protests against the new law.

Also Read: Assam in turmoil: 48-Hour motor workers’ strike throws normal life into chaos

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