Don't discriminate drivers and helpers on duty call issued
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 18 2020: Appealing the All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers' Union to call off their hands-off steering wheel strike amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Joint Committee for Public Awareness on COVID-19 has urged people of the State not to stigmatise the drivers engaged in essential services.

Pointing out that the stigmatisation and ill treatment meted out towards the drivers have caused the union to take such a stand amid the lockdown, the joint committee in a statement today stressed that the public should show their support and understanding towards the drivers who are performing their duties at the frontline.

Don't discriminate drivers and helpers on duty call issued

The call for the hands-off steering wheel strike from August 18 is a result of the many ill treatment meted out towards the drivers, noted the committee.

Highlighting the difficulties, the drivers are facing and the grievances they have, the joint committee noted that the drivers are being looked at as potential virus spreaders and they are being restricted from entering their localities.

When they are engaged in delivering essential services ferrying goods including food for the people risking their health, they are being subjected to different forms of harassment.

Shops are also not selling them goods during their journey.

People seem to have not understood the importance of their services.

If they stop their services, people of the State would only suffer more during the lockdown, pointed out the committee.

While understanding the fear of the localities amid the pandemic, the joint committee however stressed that banning entry of the drivers in their localities is not a right step to deal with the COVID-19 situation.

Erecting fences around their localities and banning entry and exit of people may cause obstacles to emergency services.

The localities concerned should also show support to the drivers and all frontline warriors including doctors, nurses and healthcare workers.

Stigmatising and harassing the frontline warriors including the drivers who are fighting the COVID-19 and its fallouts is not a right and wise step to face the pandemic.

Causing obstacles to their services would only hinder the fight against COVID-19, said the committee.

The joint committee also pointed out the sorry state of the Imphal Inter State Bus Terminus and stated that the pathetic condition of the roads and parking spaces have added more to the woes of the drivers.

The ISBT is a destination for almost all trucks ferrying essential goods and the facility serves as a resting place for drivers from their long journey.

However, the ISBT is filled with potholes and mud and slush causing immense hardship to the drivers.

Appealing the people and Government to understand the drivers' plight amid the pandemic and act on to address their grievances, the committee reminded all that the drivers have been ferrying medicines, food items and other essential goods and services amid the pandemic.

They should not be stigmatised but encouraged for their services and dedication.

They are essential and play a vital role in the fight against COVID-19, said the committee.

The joint committee appealed the drivers' union to call off their hands-off steering wheel strike considering the impact such a stand would have on the people and the fight against the pandemic.