Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Feb 7: The Police and District Administration in a joint operation today dis-banned an illegal truck union operating in SIDCO Industrial area Samba and allegedly blackmailing the truck operators and the industrialists by over charging and restricting the entry of truckers from outside the Samba station.
Acting on the court directives and taking note of the violation of Section 144 CrPC, the Police led by Additional SP Samba, Dr Koushal Sharma swung into action and arrested at least 62 members of Truck Union Samba led by Rajinder Singh alias Raju of Sangwali Mandi, Samba and some drivers amidst mild lathi-charge. The policemen also deflated the wheels of many trucks during the operation. The arrested persons were lodged in different Police Stations and five case FIRs were registered against them. A union member received injury in the eye during baton-charge.
The District Administration had also imposed Section 144 CrPC in the area. Some of them including drivers were booked under this offence and were likely to be let off tomorrow.
SSP Samba, Israr Ahmed Khan told the Excelsior that in view of the orders of the CJM Samba, the police took action. This union was illegal and moreover, they were extorting money from the truckers and also over charging from the industrialists. They had created their own `fiefdom’ and were not allowing truckers from other stations to enter the yard. The freight rates being charged were 30 to 50 % more than the actual rates and the there were complaint against them.
He said after this collective action by the District Administration and Police, peace has been restored in the area. The industrialists will also heave a sie of relief with this. He said District Magistrate had already imposed Section 144 CrPC there sensing breach of peace.
DC Samba Mubarak Singh said that court had clearly disbanned the old union some time back and now some new members emerged and framed new truck union. In violation of orders, they again started the same practice and the Administration had to act. He said the accused have been booked under different offences and law will take its own course.
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