Truckers’ stir disrupts trade at ICP

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 20

India-Pakistan trade was disrupted today at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) after members of the Attari Truck Union launched an indefinite dharna.

The protesting truck operators and drivers, along with their families, gathered at the dharna site near the ICP.

Union representative Kulwinder Sandhu said they had decided to meet the Amritsar Deputy Commissioner tomorrow to air their grievances.

“An influential transporter in connivance with some traders is responsible for the mess. He gets his vehicles overloaded, thereby hitting our livelihood,” he said.

The transporter, Gursajan Bedi, said he had not violated the rules.

“These union members had tried to target my business earlier too and even beaten up my drivers. I have 129 vehicles which lift consignments imported from across the border.” He accused the truckers associated with the union of charging “unreasonable” rates.

Anil Mehra, president of the Karyana and Dry Fruit Merchants’ Association, said they would not allow trade to be held hostage by this “unruly mob of truckers”.

He said the affected traders had already lodged complaints with the Deputy Commissioner and the police against the union. "International trade does not recognise any such union. The administration has assured the business community that their pressure tactics would be dealt with sternly," he added.

Terming the protest illegal, the Confederation of International Commerce & Industry Chambers condemned the union for disrupting bilateral trade.