Odisha Mini Truck Owners’ Association lodges complaint against Driver Association

The All Odisha Mini Truck Owners’ Association has lodged a formal complaint against the drivers’ association President Prashant Menduli and his associate Aditya Prasad Behera at the Mancheswar Police Station in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

In the complaint, the Mini Truck Owners’ Association alleged that the Driver Association, under the leadership of Menduli, is adopting undemocratic means to demand their rights. What began as a peaceful movement has allegedly turned aggressive and violent.

As per the complaint, the truck owners and drivers not participating in the protest are being harassed and humiliated. The Association claims that such acts are being orchestrated by Prashant Menduli and his associate Aditya Prasad Behera. They have demanded strict legal action against the individuals and the association involved, warning that failure to curb such actions may lead to a breakdown in the law and order situation across the state.

The All Odisha Mini Truck Owners’ Association emphasized that exemplary legal action is necessary to maintain peace and discipline in the transport sector.

"We, the members of the Nikhila Odisha Mini Truck Malika Mahasangha. We would like to bring to your kind attention the current alarming situation caused by the ongoing strike organized by the Driver Association, which has been continuing for the last four days across Odisha. While the association initially claimed to be protesting peacefully in a democratic manner, it has now taken a violent turn. The actions and behavior of its members have become aggressive and undemocratic, leading to harassment and humiliation of truck owners and drivers who are not participating in the strike," the complaint read.

"These disturbing incidents are reportedly being instigated and led by Mr. Prashant Menduli (President of the Driver Association) and his associate, Mr. Aditya Prasad Behera. If this is not brought under control immediately, it could result in serious law and order issues across the state. We, therefore, respectfully request you to kindly take immediate and appropriate legal action against the above individuals and their associates involved in these activities, so that peace and normalcy can be restored. We urge you to register an FIR against them under relevant sections of law for inciting violence, creating unrest, and threatening public safety," it further read.

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"If the administration is telling something, it should be considered. The drivers don't have unity, and they have been divided into many parts. The government is also not coming up with a proper solution.  Some truck owners and drivers are being harassed and humiliated. We strongly condemn the incident," said Ganesh Mahari, President of All Odisha Mini Truck Owners’ Association.