Recent developments in several cities have seen long queues at petrol pumps due to a protest sparked by truckers against the implementation of a stringent new law called the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. The Maharashtra government's Food, Civil Supply, and Consumer Protection Department urged the police to ensure an uninterrupted supply of petrol, diesel, and LPG cylinders amidst the ongoing stir.

Expressing concerns about the disruption caused by the protest, the department addressed all police commissioners and superintendents of police in the state. Officials highlighted the impact of the stir on the availability of essential fuel resources, prompting the intervention of the state-level coordinator for the oil industry.

The protest centers around the new 'hit-and-run' law introduced under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. This law, replacing the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, significantly escalates penalties for drivers involved in serious road accidents who flee the scene without notifying authorities. Previously, such offenses were punishable by a maximum of two years, but under the BNS, the penalty now extends to a potential 10-year jail term or a fine of Rs.7 lakh.

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