Drivers clash with cops on Day 2 of strike in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: The “quit steering strike” took an ugly turn on Thursday when the protesting drivers fought a pitched battle with the police at Pokadibandh square on NH-59 near Berhampur on Thursday.
At least six police personnel were reportedly injured in the clash, who are undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital. Police resorted to a mild lathicharge to clear the highway for stranded vehicles. “Police personnel were attacked by the striking drivers with sticks and stones. Golantahra police station IIC along with a few other personnel were injured. Some drivers have been detained,” said Satyabrata Bhoi, inspector general of police, southern range. The protesting drivers also clashed with drivers from other states who were stranded due to the strike at Tomando, on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, earlier on Thursday.
The agitating drivers stopped the drivers from other states near Tomando and prevented them from entering the state capital leading to a scuffle between the two groups.
Police swung into action and resorted to a mild lathicharge to clear the road blockade and ensure smooth passage of the stranded trucks. Police also detained around 100 protesting drivers at Balasore when they were picketing on the NH and staging road blockades, stopping trucks carrying essential commodities from plying. Commuters at several places, including Bhubaneswar, faced a harrowing time as auto-rickshaw drivers stopped plying alleging harassment and humiliation by the agitating drivers.
Tourists who arrived from various states at Puri faced inconvenience in the absence of public transport. “We had many plans but after landing here we came to now about the drivers’ strike. We are facing problems with children and elders. The government should resolve the issue,” said Rohan from Chhattisgarh.