Vikramaditya
Diglipur, North Andaman | July 14, 2025: The Diglipur Travel Union has officially announced that its members will begin a non-violent hunger strike starting on 21st July 2025, protesting against the non-payment of vehicle hiring charges for services rendered during the Lok Sabha Elections of 2019 and 2024.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha Daily, the president of the Diglipur Travel Union, Mr. Pratap Chakraborty, expressed deep frustration over long-standing dues that remain unpaid, even years after the elections were conducted.
He said that the Union’s key demands are the immediate clearance of all pending vehicle hiring charges for the Lok Sabha elections of 2024 and 2019.
According to the Union, more than ₹14 lakhs related to the 2019 elections remain unpaid even after six years, while only 30% of the dues from the 2024 elections have been settled, leaving 70% of the amount still pending.
Citing financial hardship faced by its drivers and the lack of any resolution from the concerned authorities, the Union has stated that the hunger strike will be held in front of the District Election Officer’s office in Mayabunder. The protest will be conducted in a peaceful and disciplined manner.
Mr. Pratap Chakraborty emphasized that the continued delay in payments has made the situation unsustainable for local transport providers who rendered critical services during both elections. He appealed to the administration to take immediate action to settle the dues and avoid further escalation.
Meanwhile, the Diglipur Travel Union has reportedly informed the authorities about the proposed hunger strike.
