Drivers stage indefinite strike across Odisha, resort to picketing

Bhubaneswar: Thousands of vehicle drivers today staged strike across Odisha for an indefinite period demanding fulfillment of their 10-point charter of demands. The strike call was given by the Driver Ekata Manch.

The agitating drivers staged demonstration at various places in the state and resorted to picketing.

The agitators were seen stopping commercial vehicles on National Highway at Tamando on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.

The scenes were similar in Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Balasore, Bhadrak, Deogarh, Kendrapara, Khordha, Puri and several other districts of the state.

A meeting between Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu and the Driver Ekata Manch had remained inconclusive, yesterday.

“We are forced to go on strike as the state government did not pay heed to our demands,” said convenor Akshay Kumar Nayak.

Formation of a welfare fund, death benefits, social security including pension after 60 years of age are among the demands of the drivers.

However, All Odisha Bus Owners’ Association, Truck Owners’ Association and Auto-rickshaw Owners’ Association have not joined the agitation.

The state government has directed all collectors and SPs to have a contingency plan to avoid any inconvenience to the public during the strike.

Twin City Police Commissioner Soumendra Priyadarshi said action will be taken against those trying to affect vehicular movement. He advised people to call 112 helpline in the case of any untoward incident.