Mysuru – The ongoing indefinite strike by lorry operators against the hike in the third party insurance premiums and mandatory scrapping of trucks that are 15 years old, entered the ninth day today.

The talks between various Truck Unions on strike and the Insurance Regulating and Development Authority of India  (IRDAI) held on Friday failed as the IRDAI stuck to its stance of not reducing the 50% hike in third party insurance rates.

The Mysuru District Lorry Owners Federation President B. Kodandaram, speaking to SOM, this morning said that the strike which initially began in the five southern States and Puducherry on Mar.30 midnight, has spread to northern States from today as the talks between Truck Unions and IRDAI failed on Friday.

The lorry owners have decided to stop transporting essential commodities such as petrol, diesel, gas, milk, food articles etc., from Monday as part of intensifying the stir, he said and added that the truckers had no option but to continue the strike as their just demands have not been met.

Meanwhile, the Mysuru City Goods Tempo Owners and Drivers Association, extending support to the truckers strike, staged a demonstration at the tempo stand near Kamath Hotel on Mysuru-Nanjangud Road this morning.

About 50 members of the Association, led by office-bearers Babu, Somanna, Narendra and Adarsh, took part in the           demonstration.