Labour, truckers’ unions lay siege to Ladhowal toll plaza

Tribune News Service

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Ludhiana, March 7

Members of the All-India Trucker Operators’ Union, five labour organisations along with some farmer unions today laid a siege to the Ladhowal toll plaza. Due to the protest, Ludhiana-Jalandhar highway came to standstill and long queues of vehicles were witnessed on the highway. Commuters heading towards Jalandhar from Ludhiana faced huge inconvenience.

Cops led by the Additional DCP Ramandeep Bhullar, along with huge force, resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse the protesters. Following the lathicharge, traffic movement was resumed on the highway.

As per the information, union members had started gathering at the toll plaza Thursday morning. Union representatives and police officials held several rounds of talks as latter was asking the unions to avoid blocking of highway. In the meantime, police detained the president of All India Truck Operators Union Happy Sandhu. Infuriated over the detention of the union president, they blocked the national highway. Traffic movement was completely stopped by the protesters. Long queues of vehicles were witnessed on the highway in Ludhiana and Jalandhar side (near Phillaur).

Since movement of traffic had come to standstill on the national highway, cops in large numbers suddenly arrived and after giving warning to the protesters, cops resorted to cane-charging and dispersed the protesters. Due to long queues of vehicles, it took around half an hour to completely resume the traffic movement.

Union president Happy Sandhu said a few days ago they had served a warning to the government that if government failed to fulfil their demands, they would hold a protest on both sides of the Phillaur highway on March 7. Their demands include tenders to be issued to truck unions, refund of securities paid at the time of tendering for the past 15 years and increase in transport rates citing no increase in rates for the past seven years. Sandhu also demanded that contractor system in food agencies of Punjab should end and direct payment be made to labourers. Even the use of tractor-trailers for commercial works be stopped and HC orders be implemented regarding the same.

Sandhu added that there should be an end to overloading of vehicles and 10 times toll tax be charged from any overloaded vehicle at toll plazas. They also demanded streamlining of credentials of truckers and special stickers with all essential information on their vehicles so that drivers don’t face any harassment or loot on the pretext of checking.

Over 250 protesters booked

Additional DCP Ramandeep Singh Bhullar said the police had initially detained several protesters for blocking the national highway and obstructing the police from discharging duty. Now, detained persons would be formally arrested and a case would be registered against over 250 protesters under Sections 186 (whoever voluntarily obstructs any public servant in the discharge of his public functions), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. Nobody would be allowed to disturb law and order situation in the city.

Commuters harried

Commuters faced huge inconvenience due to the blockade on highway for over one hour. Some commuters also held arguments with the protesters and lamented that such blockades should not be held on national highways or roads as it render huge inconvenience to the people.

"Instead of jamming the national highway, protesters should sit outside the residences of chief minister, ministers and MLAs. Police should not allow anyone to block roads. My husband is lying sick and if he face any health issues who will be held responsible"said a woman commuter. Even Gursimran Mand president, International Anti-Khalistani Terrorist Front, who got stuck in the jam lambasted the protesters for blocking the highway.

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