Truck, dumper owners go on strike against NH&MP ‘harassment’

SARGODHA: Truck and dumper owners associations have announced going on strike by halting their vehicles transporting crushed stone to different areas,

in protest against alleged harassment and misuse of power by the officials of the National Highway and Motorway Police (NH&MP).

At a joint press conference here on Saturday, Truck Owners Association President Babar Dhonda, Truck Ada Owners Association President Chaudhry Maqbool Hussain Waraich and transport owner Chaudhry Parvez Masood Bajwa said drivers of their vehicles carrying crushed stones were harassed by NH&MP officials posted at Pull (bridge) 111, without any reason.

They alleged that NH&PM officials ask drivers to follow “their own” timings for crossing the bridge, otherwise they harass and detain them.

They also alleged that the police were charging Rs500 from each truck without giving them any receipt, that was unjustified.

Moreover, they lamented that incidents of kidnapping and robberies against dumpers drivers were increasing, while police have badly failed to check such crimes, affecting their business.

They also deplored overcharging by Excise and Taxation (E&T) Department’s contractors.

They said that they have repeatedly requested the district administration to take stock of the situation and resolve the problems being faced by them, but to no avail.

They said if such injustices were not stopped, they would continue their strike indefinitely, suspending crushed stone supply to all areas and causing a shortage of

the material used is construction work etc.

ROOF COLLAPSE: Five persons, including a woman and two children, were injured when the roof of their single-room house caved in during Friday night rain in Kotmomin area, some 40km from here.

As per local sources, all the five people were in the room when its dilapidated roof collapsed during the downpour, leaving them injured. They were rescued by the locals and shifted to hospital.

The names of those injured could not be ascertained

The heavy rain and windstorm lashed the area, resulting in power supply disruptions and inundation of low-lying localities.

However, Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) officials claim that the elecricity was restored in many areas on Saturday.

They said the rain and windstorm damaged various installations of Fesco, which were repaired after hours-long efforts.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2023

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