The Hindu : Karnataka News : Truckers seek protection

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Wednesday, Mar 12, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Truckers seek protection

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: The South India Lorry Drivers and Cleaners Association (SILDCA) has sought protection for its members from attacks from various regional and linguistic activists.

In a statement issued here, association president M. Sriram has said that the association has condemned the attacks on drivers and other crew belonging to inter-State truck operators between Karnataka and Maharashtra on Sunday. The statement said that some miscreants claiming to be activists of a particular language group had beaten up drivers and cleaners of those trucks going out of Karnataka and those coming into Karnataka at Nippani in retaliation to another group’s action in waylaying trucks at Chitradurga and beating up their crew.

Mr. Sriram said as truck crew “we do not belong to any group owing allegiance to any regional interests. We are the carriers of national wealth and goods of importance, and we cannot be treated like this.”

Goods that are transported on highways include medicines, foodgrains, vegetables, fruits and essential commodities. “By unleashing terror on truckers, the groups are only causing hardship to the people as it delays transportation of goods,” he added.

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