Karnataka - Mysore   

Transport strike: Manivannan cracks the whip

MYSORE: Deputy Commissioner of Mysore P. Manivannan has cracked the whip against the striking truckers by issuing an order directing them not to stop plying their vehicles and disrupt the supply of essential commodities. It comes as a precursor to invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA).

“All persons involved in plying trucks, lorries or vehicles which carry essential goods shall not stop their vehicles from conveying the goods as they have been doing in the past two weeks,” said an order issued by Mr. Manivannan in his capacity as the District Magistrate.

“Though ESMA has not been invoked, violation of this order will lead to punitive action being taken. If truckers are found violating the order, they can be arrested and imprisoned up to three months under Section 186 of the Criminal Procedure Code.” Mr. Manivannan told The Hindu.

The district administration’s caution comes as the Statewide truckers’ strike against compulsory installation of speed governors in their vehicles entered the fourth day in Mysore.

The order was issued on February 24 but was made available to the press on Monday. It will remain in force for 15 days in Mysore district, except in areas under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Police.

It was issued after a meeting of senior officials of the district administration comprising the Superintendent of Police, the Regional Transport Officer, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, the Deputy Director of Food and Civil Supplies, besides representatives from oil companies and the Managing Director of the Mysore Milk Union. The meeting was held on Sunday.

The officials said that if trucks were off the road for another day, there was a possibility of a shortage of essential commodities.

The Deputy Director of Food and Civil Supplies and the Regional Transport Officer said that if trucks were not prevented from going off the road, a situation may arise where there would be shortage of essential goods, leading to breach of public peace.

Citing the grounds for the order, Mr. Manivannan said the strike was likely to affect transportation of essential commodities.“Distribution and supply of essential commodities have to be ensured for the benefit of the public. Any lapse in this regard will lead to nuisance and even danger, besides creating a law and order problem. Therefore, it is necessary that immediate action is taken to prevent the strike,” said a statement from the office of the Deputy Commissioner.

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