Truck Operators' Association to submit charter of demands to top cops, DMs

Kolkata: The truck operators under the Federation of West Bengal Truck Operators' Association will submit a deputation to the districts magistrates, police superintendents and commissioners to meet their 5 point demands on Thursday.

The truck operators' organisation also threatened to go on a hunger strike from December 1, if their demands are not fulfilled. The West Bengal Truck Operators' Association (WBTOA) urged that the overloading of the vehicles must be stopped.

They demanded that the administration must impose fine and punishment as per the M V Act under sections 113 and 114. The organisation alleged that there had been unnecessary harassment by the traffic police and motor vehicles department.

All the district units of the West Bengal Truck Operators' Association will gather outside the DM and SP offices on Thursday and submit a deputation, urging them to address the issue on an emergency basis.

The WBTOA, Kolkata and central committee of the Federation have recently decided to organise a protest and also to submit deputation to the administrative officials in this regard. The demands also include the withdrawal of 'no entry' notification issued by Kolkata Police, the district police and other commissionarates permanently or on temporary basis, without prior intimation during any religious or social programme.

A senior official of the WBTOA said the police administration often put a 'no entry' signboard without any prior information, leading to inconveniences for the truck operators.

The organisation also stressed the need of implementing the revision of 'Safe Axle Weight' for transport vehicles, as per the guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

It was also stated that if the police and district administration do not take adequate measures to meet their demands, a bigger movement would be organised throughout the state. The truck operators may organise a hunger strike after December 1, if their demands are not addressed.