Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 7: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) today appealed to the Government to abolish Toll Plazas from Jammu division in view of resentment among the people against the same, especially in Lakhanpur.
The demand was raised during a meeting, organized by the JKAP senior leaders, including Vikram Malhotra, youth leader Raqeeq Ahmed Khan, Ajaz Kazmi, Sandeep Gandotra, Amandeep Singh Chopra, Hiteshwar Singh, Ankit Gupta and others to discuss various issues.
During the meeting, JKAP senior leader Vikram Malhotra said that there was strong resentment among the people against the Toll Plazas on Jammu-Pathankot Highway at Sarore in Samba district and another at Lakhanpur. He said that the Toll Plazas have become a symbol of exploitation for the people of Jammu region, particularly of Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts.
Malhotra appealed to the Government of India to abolish Toll Plazas at Ban in Nagrota, Sarore in Samba and Lakhanpur in Kathua. Further, he added, Toll Plaza at Ban in Nagrota has become a cause of concern for the pilgrims coming to Shri Vaishno Devi Mata Shrine in Katra from across the country.
The JKAP senior leader also hoped that the new Lt Governor Manoj Sinha in Jammu and Kashmir would initiate political process and the missing link between the masses and the Government is bridged. “There is visible anger among the people in the last one year due to failure of the Government to connect with the people. The programmes and policies have failed to win the confidence of the masses due to the political vacuum. However, with the appointment of the new Lt Governor, the people are expecting that the political process may begin,” he added.
Expressing serious concern over unscheduled power cuts in Old City areas, Malhotra demanded that the electricity supply should be streamlined.
On the occasion, several workers joined Jammu Kashmir Apni Party.