After a meeting with Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, the All India Motor Transport Association (AIMTC) decided to end the nationwide truck drivers protests against the new hit-and-run law. The government assured the members of the transport body that the new laws have not been implemented yet and will only be implemented after consultation with AIMTC.
“We met and discussed the provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and all issues have been resolved. The new laws have not been implemented yet and will only be implemented after consultation with AIMTC,” Malkit Singh Bal, the chairman of the AIMTC said.
President of AIMTC, Amrit Lal Madan, expressed gratitude to the government for their willingness to engage in dialogue. “You are not just our drivers, you are our soldiers. We do not want you to face any inconvenience,” said Madan
He further disclosed that Home Minister Amit Shah had assured the suspension of the ten-year punishment and fine until the next meeting of AIMTC takes place, signaling a commitment to further negotiations and resolutions.
“Amit Shah has kept the 10 years of punishment and fine that was imposed, on hold. Until the next meeting of the All India Motor Transport Congress is held no laws will be imposed,” he said.
The protest was over the Section 106(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita which has provisions for strict penalty in hit-and-run cases. Under BNS, which replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, a provision was included that provides for a jail of up to 10 years and/or a fine of Rs 7 lakh for serious road accidents due to negligent driving and where drivers run away without informing the police.