Jammu, Aug 26: Apni Party on Saturday held a peaceful protest demonstration against the “illegal” collection of toll plaza at Sarore in Samba, and the installation of smart meters.
To express their anguish over the emerging situation in Jammu, Samba, and Kathua, a protest was organized by District President Legal Cell of Apni Party, Adv Sahil Bharti that was led by Former Minister S. Manjit Singh, the party said in a statement.
During the protest, the Apni Party leaders shouted slogans against the authoritarian attitude of the authorities as the popular demand of Jammu was not being addressed. The former minister demanded an unconditional release of the detained Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) leaders from Kathua jail.
In his address, he said that it was unfortunate that several days have passed to the continuous protest demonstration across Jammu’s districts in plain areas against the “illegal” collection of toll plaza, yet the NHAI has not stopped the collection of tolls.
“We had also met the Deputy Commissioner, Samba and held several protests against the toll collection at Sarore Toll Plaza. However, the authorities have turned blind eyes towards the growing concern of the people in general,” he said.
“The people are fed up with the working of JK administration in a wayward manner that has badly affected the normal life of the people and brought the normal life in Jammu plains at this stage,” he said.
Singh demanded a rollback of the toll tax collection at Sarore before it is too late since it was not appropriate because the highway was completely damaged. “The authorities should seriously look into the matter and take a decision as per the demands of the people,” he said.
He also expressed concern over the installation of smart meters that has generated excessive electricity charges and overburdened the pockets of the general masses.
Referring to the issues of rural areas in Jammu, Samba, and Kathua; the former minister said the smart meters have affected all the sections of society equally and the people are worried because of the excessive electricity bills. “The farmers in tail-end villages in Ramgarh, and other border villages are not getting canal water and on the other hand, they do not get proper electricity supply,” he said.
