TP Lakhanpur to continue function: DC
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Aug 4: Sensing trouble the District Magistrate, Kathua, O P Bhagat imposed Section 144 in the areas falling under Police Stations of Kathua and Lakhanpur following the late last night clash at Lakhanpur Toll Plaza and mob violence.
Soon after the imposition of Section 144 in the areas falling under the two police stations barbed wire was placed on National Highway and checking of vehicle was started. The vehicles without permission were not allowed to move on the road. Deputy Commissioner, Kathua OP Bhagat said that the tension erupted at New Toll Plaza Lakhanpur late last night and in view of reports about security threat on Independence Day, the Section 144 was imposed.
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It may be recalled that the trouble erupted late last night, when a local youth had an altercation over the payment of toll with the Toll Plaza staff at Lakhanpur.
The members of Toll Plaza Action Committee who were protesting against the installation of New Toll Plaza at Lakhanpur demanded winding up the Toll Plaza . Their deputation met DC and SSP Kathua and demanded to wind up Toll Plaza which created law and order situation and will continue such ugly situation in future if it was not closed down, said National Conference (NC) leader, Ravinder Slathia.
Later in the evening a meeting was held by District Development Commissioner, Kathua, O P Bhagat with Project Director National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to discuss the issue arisen out of yesterday’s violence.
The meeting decided that the TP at Lakhanpur installed by Government order will function as routine and collect the Toll, O P Bhagat said who termed the yesterday’s scuffle as planted. He said the project Director NHAI can’t take any decision on his own and he too has to go by the directive of the Government which has installed the TP at Lakhanpur.
Meanwhile, Kathua police today restrained the NPP leaders and former Ministers Harsh Dev Singh and Yash Paul Kundal from proceeding to Lakhanpur where the Action Committee was holding dharna against the installation of Toll Plaza and assault on a local youth yesterday by the goons of the Toll Plaza contractor.
The NPP leaders who were heading towards Lakhanpur Plaza along with their party workers and supporters were stopped by the police about one km short of Lakhanpur Toll and disallowed from proceeding further. They were detained for several hours by the police and let off later only to be sent back to Jammu, a party handout issued here, today said.
The NPP leaders later while talking to media said that the party was strongly opposed to the installation of multiple Toll Plazas in Jammu region and would continue agitation for their removal against all odds.
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