New Delhi: In the face of a split among the striking truckers, government on April 22 remained tough on the three main demands of the strikers but appealed to them to call of their nine-day-old strike.

As the splinter group of the strikers met Petroleum and Road Transport Ministry officials, Transport Minister B C Khanduri made a statement in the Lok Sabha in which he said the government was willing to consider their demand that diesel prices should not be revised every fortnight if the fluctuation was within 25 paise a litre.

He said while there was no major difference of opinion on seven of their demands, the abolition of toll tax demanded by the strikers could not be considered.

While reports of violence due to clashes between the supporters of the rival factions poured in from some places, prices of essential commodities like fruits and vegetables firmed up. Besides, cargo movement out of ports as also export consignment and cement and steel despatches were badly hit.

PTI