Date:04/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/04/stories/2009010459150500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Truckers stage demonstration

Staff Reporter

To observe relay hunger strike from tomorrow
Submit memo to Joint Transport Commissioner

Hyderabad: Local lorry owners and private bus operators on Saturday staged a demonstration at Transport Bhavan, Khairtabad demanding the government to withdraw its plans of shifting the Kukatpally truck parking place to another location.

Over sixty lorry owners and bus operators under the aegis of Greater Hyderabad Truck, Mini-Truck, Local Lorry and Trailer Owners Co-ordination committee squatted in front of the Transport Bhavan and raised slogans against the government. Committee Convenor, K. Rajeshwar Rao said agitators would observe relay hunger strike from Monday at Kukatpally parking lot protesting the government’s decision to allot parking area to a private company for commercial use.

The committee members later submitted a memorandum to the Joint Transport Commissioner, B. Venkateswarlu. Mr. Rao said that a decision was also taken to participate in the country-wide indefinite strike from Sunday midnight.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad Goods Transport Association (HGTA) has also extended its solidarity to the Sunday’s strike.

“Even after requesting to reduce fuel prices following reduction in crude oil prices globally, the government did not consider our pleas”, said HGTA president, M. D. Sharma.