Jammu, Aug 22: The protests against tax collection at Sarore Toll Plaza continued for the second consecutive day on Tuesday after which the police detained over two dozen members of the Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS), which is spearheading the agitation.
The Samba district administration also imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which prohibits gathering of four or more persons at a particular place.
Twenty-six (26) people have been detained as a preventive measure; however, no FIR has been registered against them, SSP Samba, Benam Tosh told Rising Kashmir, adding, “Although an FIR has been registered in the case, but in that regard, there is no arrest yet.”
The traffic movement on Jammu-Pathankot National Highway was disrupted for some time due to protests by a large number of people from YRS. Police had to use force to disperse the protesters to ensure smooth movement of traffic on the national highway.
“We have been detained but we will continue our agitation in the coming days for stoppage of tax collection at Sarore Toll Plaza,” YRS president Happy Singh, who is under detention at Samba, told Rising Kashmir.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on Monday categorically stated that the collection of tolls at Sarore toll plaza in Samba will not be suspended saying the relaxation in toll collection has already been given there.
“The toll collection at Sarore toll plaza will continue no matter whosoever is protesting,” Regional Officer, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Shiv Shanker had said, adding, “Already, we have given 25% relaxation in toll collection keeping in view the people’s demand due to poor condition of the national highway.”
