Thousands of Sikh trucks and operators, who make up the backbone of the American trade, feel threatened in recent days due to tightened control after a deadly accident in Florida.
On August 12, 28 -year -old Harjinder Singh, a truck driver born in India, was carried out at Florida Turnpike, who allegedly caused a crash that killed three people.
The accident was triggered by online showcase polluting members of the Sikh community who often long for highly paid freight jobs that allow men to wear Sikh to wear beard, unprecedented hair and turbans.
“A lot of drivers are afraid right now,” Los Angeles Times reported, quoting Sumit Singh.
Singh added that the whole community should not be penalized only for one person.
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Truckers Punjabi Truckers are focused on improvised English tests at checkpoints and weighing highway stations.
The incident also launched a political debate on illegal immigration and qualification and testing of foreign truck drivers.
Sikhs and Punjabs play an important role in the American industry.
The number of Sikh populations in the US is up to 750,000, with the highest concentration in California.
The North American Association Truckers Truckers Association (DTA) estimates that Sikh’s workforce accounts for about 40% of the truck ride on the west coast and about 20% across the country.
The association has about 2,500 members.
After a fatal accident in Florida, a few news received some reports of harassment and abuse of SIKH drivers.
Advocacy groups claim that there has been an increase in threats and security fears since the Florida incident, Los Angeles Times reported.
“Many drivers do not want to go on the road,” says Baldev Khang, Director of Finance and Cargo Solutions Express based in Fontana.
He also called it the toughest period for decades for business.
In Florida, Harjinder Singh is facing killing and accusations of murdering a vehicle and being held without a bond.
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The Florida authorities claim that in 2018 he illegally joined the US from Mexico.
California officials, however, claim that the federal authorities have told them that he is legally permitted in the country when the state issued him a driving license.
Napta Raman, CEO of Dhillon, said the community has launched English classes for truck drivers on Sikh Places of Worship in Stockton, Los Angeles Times said.
The test system of commercial driving license in California is wrong, and the standards for recovering tasks at the traction schools have led DMV too easily issued licenses for labor holders, Dhillon added.
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