Navi Mumbai, July 23: In wake of the ongoing nationwide strike by truck operators, a group of unidentified men vandalised about 12 trucks in Taloja Industrial area. According to a tweet by ANI, the incident took place on Sunday night. Reports inform that a case registered against unidentified persons and investigation into the matter is underway.

The nationwide truck operators’ strike in Maharashtra has entered its fourth day today. It must be noted that the truck operators' nationwide indefinite strike has been called by their umbrella body All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC).

The AIMTC started a nationwide indefinite strike on July 20, and their demands include a reduction in central and state taxes by getting diesel under the GST so that price of the deregulated commodity can be reduced.

Apart from demanding reduction in diesel prices, truckers are also against the “flawed and non-transparent” toll collection system that favours road concessioners and alleged that the time and fuel loss goes up to Rs 1.5 trillion annually on account of it.

On the third day on Sunday, the nationwide indefinite strike called by transporters received a mixed response, but the apex body of truckers said it would continue with its bandh call till it gets "concrete assurances" from the government on its demands.

The AIMTC core committee chairman Bal Malkit Singh said about 50-60 per cent of the overall 93 lakh trucks, which are affiliated to the apex body are off the roads, and expressed confidence that more will join as the day progresses.

Reports inform that the strike was more effective in the financial capital Mumbai, while in other parts of the country, including Delhi, it showed partial response only. The School Bus and Company Bus Owners Association of Maharashtra have also extended their support to the truckers strike. Over 8,000 buses in Mumbai and 40,000 buses across Maharashtra are affiliated to the body.

It must be noted that essential commodities have been kept out of the strike. AIMTC claims that about 93 lakh trucks are affiliated to the body. The Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT), however, said the strike has a little impact so far in the country.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 23, 2018 10:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).