Bengal truckers to join national indefinite strike from June 18

Kolkata, June 13 (IANS) Protesting against fuel price rise and third party insurance premium hike, truck owners and operators in West Bengal on Wednesday said they would join the all India indefinite strike from June 18.

"In our meeting on Wednesday, all the districts' representatives supported the all India indefinite strike from June 18 protesting against the diesel price rise and steep hike in third party insurance premium," said Federation of West Bengal Truck Operators' Association Joint Secretary Sajal Ghosh.

All India Confederation of Goods Vehicles Owners' Association had already called for the indefinite strike on these two principal issues.

"Over 90 lakh trucks will be off the road from June 18 in India while in West Bengal, over 3.5 lakh trucks will not run," he said.

He said the Federation is also protesting police and Motor Vehicle Department officials' alleged excesses in the state.

The truck strike may cause rise in prices of perishable goods items due to supply constraint and exports to Bangladesh through Petrapole check point will likely be impacted.