Transporters’ across India threaten nationwide strike

The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) has threatened to stop movement of essential goods across northern India from 8 December and thereafter, to other parts of the country. They will do this if the government does not address farmers’ concerns regarding the recently passed farm laws.

Transporters have said they will convene a core committee meeting and decide on shutting operations from 8 December, starting with northern India, which includes Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (UP) Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir. “If the government doesn’t look into the farmer’s demand, then after 8 December, then we will do a chakka jam, stop vehicles,” said the leader in a statement.

AIMTC is the apex body of transporters, representing the interest of more than 95 lakh truckers, around 50 lakh buses, tourist taxi, auto and maxi cab operators across the country.

“The road transport fraternity of India extends its unstinted support to farmer agitation who are our “Ann Daata” – the food providers. They are fighting for their legitimate rights…The entire North India is affected and thousands of trucks carrying food, vegetables and other perishable and non perishable items coming from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, J&K are impacted and we still support them as 65% of the trucks are engaged in carrying farm produce,” said an official statement by AIMTC.

Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and western UP have continued to protest against the farm laws over the last two months, despite repeated assurances by the Centre and appeals to come to the table for talks.

Over the last one week, farmers have gathered at entry points in New Delhi demanding the revoking of the legislations, amid fears of the new benefitting the corporate.

The truckers’ body further warned of acute shortage of essential items of the next few days, if conflict is not resolved.

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