TN lorry owners set to launch indefinite stir from July 20

The associations are also planning to mobilise support of petrol bunks for their strike. However, the bunks may be asked to shut for one day as a token of support.

Speaking to DT Next, S Yuvaraj, president of Tamil Nadu Lorry Owners Federation, said, “We have decided to go on an indefinite strike from July 20. In an effort to draw the attention of the public, we will seek support of petrol bunks across the State. The bunks can be closed on a holiday so that people are not inconvenienced.”

A decision regarding the indefinite strike and roping in petrol bunks was taken at a meeting on Tuesday night, in which 134 lorry owners associations participated.

C Dhanaraj, secretary, State Lorry Owners’ Federation - Tamil Nadu, said that the indefinite strike should be a wake-up call for both the state and central governments. “We are confident that the Centre will reduce prices of petrol and diesel after our strike call as lakhs of lorries will be off the roads bringing goods transportation to a complete halt,” he said.

Meanwhile, the nationwide strike called by the All India Confederation of Goods Vehicle Owners’ Association (AICGVO) entered the fourth day on Wednesday.

When asked about the ongoing strike, Yuvaraj replied, “Only a few associations, which have a less number of lorry owners as members, are taking part in the present stir. We will seek their support too for our indefinite strike.”

It may be noted that the prices of vegetables in the city have shot up in the last few days, as arrivals from different states have been affected.

DMK working president MK Stalin on Wednesday advised the Centre to immediately hold talks with the truckers and find an amicable solution to the ongoing lorry strike. 

Drawing the government’s attention to the potential rise in prices of essential commodities due to the truckers’ strike, which entered the third day on Wednesday, Stalin took to Twitter and said the Centre should immediately invite the truckers for talks to find an amicable solution. Sparing a thought for the ruling AIADMK on the issue, Stalin urged Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to make necessary efforts and invite them for talks to end the ongoing strike instead of being indifferent. 

Meanwhile, Rajinder Singh, general secretary of All India Confederation of Goods Vehicle Owners Association along with Tamil Nadu Lorry Owner’s Federation president Sukumaran called on Stalin and thanked him expressing solidarity with them.