Cards, Drinks & Fear: Lorry Drivers Open Up After Hyd Vet’s Death
“Even if 1 of 10 drivers does something off, then people do not trust us, treat us with suspicion,” a driver said.
advertisement
“Aaj ki date mein duniya me sab kaam kar rahe hai. Log jua khel rahain hai, ran*&!@zi kar rahain hai, sharaab pee rahe hai aur jisko bacche paalne hai vo kuch nahi kar rahaa hai. Vo roti khake, truck mein chup chaap sota hai.” (Translation: In today’s times, everyone is doing everything – people gamble, womanise, drink, and those who want to bear children do nothing but eat their food and sleep in their truck.) 45-year-old Rajbeer Singh, who has worked as a lorry driver for 20 years, told The Quint at a dimly lit stretch of the Hyderabad-Bangalore Highway.
Days after the 26-year-old veterinary doctor’s rape and murder in Hyderabad’s Shamshabad on the intervening night of 27 and 28 November, this reporter spoke to lorry drivers about life on the road.
All the four rape and murder accused in the case worked either as lorry drivers or as cleaners – Mohammad Arif and Chintakunta Chennakeshavulu were drivers and Jollu Shiva and Jollu Naveen cleaners.
Drinking & Playing Cards
Talking about the culture of drinking, Singh said he has seen people drink plenty of times. “Yes, this happens. You see it in the areas where trucks are parked or in some dhabas late in the night.” He even admitted to drinking sometimes. “I drink to pass the time but I do not play cards now. I stopped playing after I lost a lot of money many years ago while traveling from Aurangabad in Maharashtra. It was an embarrassing day,” he smiled.
Just like they drink, drivers play teen patti (a card game) and rummy as well. Vimal, who has been on the road for a few years now, is among them. He plays cards once in a while, and said it is a distraction he does not mind. “I am decent at cards too. Then why not? People around me drink though. I do not make that mistake,” he looked at Singh and laughed.
20-year-old Ajay who has just started out concurred, “People drinking and playing cards is a common sight. Drivers have alcohol because they are tired from sitting in one pose and driving for 10-12 hours straight. We sleep only for 3-4 hours, so they down alcohol so they’re able to sleep. It eases the load in the job.”
‘Often Abused in Other States’
However, unlike Singh who enjoys a drink on occasion, Kumar swore he has never had a drink. “Everyone says that drivers are alcoholics, they do not go home to their families and indulge in bad habits. This is wrong, as there might be some people who are like this but how is it fair to typecast all drivers to be bad people.”
His problem on the road is being frightened of locals in states. “When the driver gets out on duty to another state, we feel scared. People try to show us how this is their state and they are in-charge and not us on the road,” Kumar said.
Kumar says abuse is normal on the roads. “When we are in new cities, people threaten to hit us and abuse us often. In deserted areas we do not stop the truck for anyone, sometimes even for policemen, as we are scared.”
‘Avoid Places Which Will Bring Trouble’
While Kumar feels scared on the road, the experienced 65-year-old Kaala Singh said he now knows the tricks to avoid a fight.
“We do not go to areas which could invite trouble.” When asked how they know which place to avoid and which not to for a layover, Singh said, “We know. We have been in this profession for 20 years. Other drivers tell us and places develop a reputation. The word goes around and it helps. And another trick it to keep to ourselves. Do not get friendly with people unnecessarily.”
Suresh, who has been Kaala’s partner on the road for two years now, asserted he has a fix for these issues. “All the drama and issues happen at night. So we drive during the night on the road without looking left or right. There is also the additional bonus of not getting any traffic. We sleep during the entire day. That way we avoid a lot of wrong people and circumstances.”
‘Not All Drivers Are Bad’
Reacting to the news of the Hyderabad vet’s rape and murder, all drivers say that the culprits must get the strictest punishment. “What has happened with her is truly terrible. May her soul rest in peace and the culprits be punished,” Suresh and Singh agreed.
Discussing the disrepute drivers have acquired, Suresh said, “Drivers get a bad name as people think they do not go home for many months. The understanding is that if someone is a driver then they drink, they play cards and they are not to be trusted.” Singh added, “Even if one of ten drivers does something off, then people do not trust us, treat us with suspicion.”
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)