Lorry owners threaten to strike

Lorry owners are all set to go on a strike on Wednesday protesting against Mysore district-in-charge Minister S A Ramdas’ refusal to release the 120-odd lorries seized in Mysore and stationed at Talakadu in T Narasipura since December 19.

The members of the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners’ and Agents Association (FKSLOAA), who met the minister on Tuesday, said they were irked by his “indifferent approach” to solving their problems.

“Despite Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda’s direction to transport sand from Mysore to Bangalore, the district in-charge minister is not allowing passage for our lorries. They are not only seizing lorries, but are also taking away sand and selling it to consumers in Mysore,” said G R Shanmugappa, president, FKSLOAA.He said the officials had also arrested lorry drivers and owners, including women.

The association members had a heated argument with the minister on Tuesday and left the venue in a huff when Ramdas asked them to meet him again on Wednesday.

They accused him of framing a “different policy” for transporting sand and construction material from Mysore to Bangalore.

“If the minister does not release the seized lorries, we will prevent commercial vehicles, maxi cabs, tourist taxis and tempos from plying to Mysore,” Shanmugappa added.