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Anand Mohan Sahay in Patna
Over 100,000 commercial vehicles in Bihar went off the roads indefinitely on Thursday to protest against the new road taxes imposed by the state government.
In response Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi warned the striking transporters of the imposition of the Essential Services Maintenance Act, adding that their national permit licenses would be cancelled if they did not end the strike immediately.
The Patna Truckers' Association, however, said the chief minister should first withdraw the road tax hike.
Meanwhile, confusion reigned at the main bus stations with people trying in vain to buy tickets to their destinations. Long queues were also witnessed at the petrol stations, with many rushing to stock fuel fearing a disruption in supply due to the strike. Several outlets went dry due to the rush.
The autorickshaw association has also joined the strike.
Most of the schools in Patna have decided to close down till Sunday.
"We will review the situation on Sunday and if the strike continues, we may prolong the closure," said a source in Notre Dame Academy.
Several schools have announced withdrawal of school buses in support of the transporters' demand.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India -- Marxist has called upon the government to call a meeting of the transporters and the political parties to find a way out of the strike.
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