Drivers launch indefinite strike across Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Transport services in many parts of Odisha came to a grinding halt with drivers launching an indefinite strike from Wednesday to press for their 10-point charter of demands.

The strike call was given by the Driver Ekata Manch.

The agitating drivers staged demonstration at various places in the state and resorted to picketing to press for the fulfillment of their various demands that include social security including pension, insurance, and death benefits.

Bus services have been affected at various places in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Dhenkanal, Rourkela, Balasore, Sambalpur, Bolangir and several other cities. Many buses were found to be stranded, much to the inconvenience of commuters.

The agitators were seen stopping commercial vehicles on National Highways.

“We are forced to go on strike as the state government did not pay heed to our demands,” said convenor Akshay Kumar Nayak.

“We are holding the agitation peacefully across the state to press for fulfillment of our demands. Earlier, we had presented memorandum to the district collectors and 147 MLAs in the state. But unfortunately, the state government did not pay any heed to our demands. We will continue our strike till the demands are fulfilled,” said Manoranjan Sahu, a driver from Muktapasi in Parjang block in Dhenkanal district.

A meeting between Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu and the Driver Ekata Manch had remained inconclusive, yesterday.