Bhubaneswar: The indefinite state-wide strike by members of the Driver Ekta Mahamanch in support of its 10-point charter of demands entered its second day on Thursday. The strike has already affected the lives of people and the supply of essential items, especially fuel.
The situation worsened on Thursday as the auto-rickshaws of Smart City Online Auto Association members remained off-road in protest against the harassment of their members by the agitating bus drivers at several places in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. The auto-rickshaw drivers alleged that they were heckled and insulted by the Mahamanch members for not joining the strike.
Bus drivers were seen picketing on the main roads and important traffic crossings with posters, banners and placards. They appealed to the drivers of other public transport vehicles to support the strike and stop plying their vehicles till the government conceded the demands of the Mahamanch.
However, no untoward incident was reported from any parts of the state today.
Commuters were seen stranded in various places in the state as buses, hail-ride cabs and auto-rickshaws remained off-road. Numerous tankers carrying fuel were seen stranded at various points on different highways passing through the state. It is apprehended that if the strike does not end soon, it may result in a crisis of fuel and foodstuff coming from outside Odisha.
While the private bus owners’ association had assured the state government they would ply their vehicles as usual, their vehicles remained in the garages owing to the strike by the bus drivers.
It is worth mentioning here that the Driver Ekta Mahamanch has proposed a 10-point charter of demands including fair wages and social security for the members.
