In Karachay-Cherkessia, truck drivers demand to cancel "Platon" system

Today, in Karachay-Cherkessia, drivers of heavy trucks have sent an appeal to the regional branch of the "Edinaya Rossiya"(United Russia) Party with the demand to cancel the "Platon" system. They have also applied to the State TV and Radio Company (STRC) "Karachay-Cherkessia" with a request to highlight the protest action.

Today, about 100 truck drivers have gathered for the rally, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

Starting from March 27, the protest action is being carried out across Russia. This was reported by Ruslan Salpagarov, a truck driver from the city of Ust-Djeguta. He has noted that the protest action affects the operation of enterprises.

"One of the enterprises began to exert pressure on us. They have told us that if we continue our protests, they will include us in their blacklist, and we will not be involved in transportation of cargos," Ruslan Salpagarov has explained.

According to him, the truck drivers' protests can have negative consequences for all parties.

The truck driver on protest has also added that government officials periodically came out to the protestors, but do not take any measures.

According to Mukhamed Kamov, a resident of Cherkessk, involved in the protest action, truck drivers will not be able to support their families in case if the "Platon" system is introduced.

He has also added that some officials treat the truck drivers on protest as enemies and rowdies. "We do not pursue any political goals, we just want to work and earn money," the truck drivers said.

The press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of the Karachay-Cherkessian Republic (KChR) states that participants of the protest action commit no violations.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot'.