Samba town observes half day bandh
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Aug 23: While protests against the removal of Sarore Toll Plaza continued for third consecutive day at different parts of Jammu region today, Samba town observed a complete half day bandh in support of the Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) demand besides, release of its activists who were shifted from Samba and lodged in District Jail Kathua late last night.
The protests were held at Tawi bridge near Maharaja Hari Singh statue here, Bantalab, New Plots, Vijaypur, Bari Brahmana, Purmandal Morh, Samba town, Hiranagar, Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri and Ramban towns by the activists of YRS supported by members of various other social and political organizations.
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In the morning scores of YRS activists with Tricolours and organizational flags in their hands marched towards the Tawi bridge near Pt Prem Nath Dogra Chowk and staged a demonstration there. The irate YRS activists raising slogans Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Vande Matram also tried to block the Tawi bridge. But police and para military forces deployed there foiled their attempt.
The protesting YRS activists jostled with the police which used a mild cane charge to disperse the protestors. A high drama prevailed at the protesting site as some of the activists who did not leave the venue of the protest were huddled in a police van by the cops and shifted them away from the protest site.
Talking to media persons, the protestors termed the arrest of the activists of YRS totally illegal and questioned the Government action of shifting them from Samba to Kathua Jail during night hours. They asked the people to get united and fight for their genuine rights. The protestors said that they will no more beg for their rights and snatch them terming the Sarore Toll Plaza totally illegal.
Another protest was held by the activists of YRS at Bantalab Chowk. The protestors were shouting slogans in support of their demands of releasing the arrested activists of the organization and suspension of Toll Plaza at Sarore. The shopkeepers of Bantalab marker also observed a complete bandh in support of YRS demand.
Samba town observed a half day bandh and all shops and business establishments downed their shutters up to 1300 hours in support of YRS. President, Beopar Mandal Samba, Tejinder Singh said that the bandh was peaceful. He said the protest will continue tomorrow but the shops will remain open. He said the Beopar Mandal Samba will run phased agitation till the demand is settled.
Singh said they were called by DC Samba, Abhishekh Sharma for talks but the Beopar Mandal showed reluctance to meet him as the district administration had already said that they can’t take any decision on suspension of Toll Plaza at Sarore and hence there was no fun of having talks with them.
Protest was also held by activists of Rajput Sabha and Azad Democratic Party at Kathua in support of YRS demand and immediate release of arrested leaders.
Another protest was held by Bar Association at Hiranagar during the day in support of YRS.
As per reports the protest was held by Bar Association Samba on National Highway near Court Complex Samba and they also blocked Highway for half an hour. Another protest rally was taken out by the activists of YRS who were joined by leaders of various political parties, Sarpanches, Panches and councilors. The rally was taken from Chhota Chowk to Main Chowk and the protestors were demanding immediate release of arrested YRS activists lodged in Kathua Jail and removal of Sarore Toll Plaza.
A protest rally was also held at Vijaypur Chowk which was led by Apni Party provincial president, Manjit Singh. Two separate protests were held at Purmandal Morh in support of YRS today. One was held by the activists of various roganisations and local residents which was followed by another protest by the local women. The protestors demanded immediate release of arrested YRS activists.
Meanwhile, more organizations have condemned the arrest of Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) activists and extended full support to their demand of suspension of Sarore Toll Plaza.
Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti has voiced her concern regarding the Toll Taxes levied at Sarore in Jammu. In a recent tweet, Mehbooba Mufti criticized the Government of India (GoI) for what she described as excessive toll charges, which she believes are burdening the people of Jammu.
The tweet highlighted the plight of people of Jammu who are being subjected to what Mehbooba referred as anti people action in the form of exorbitant Toll Taxes. Despite ongoing protests against these toll charges, there has been no apparent response or resolution to address the issue, she added.
Apni Party today staged a protest demonstration against the illegal collection of Toll Tax on Jammu-Pathankot Highway at Sarore in Samba district. The protest was led by its provincial president Jammu and former Minister, Manjit Singh at Vijaypur in which large number of Apni Party leaders and activists participated demanding an end to the exploitation of the people by the NHAI.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, Manish Sahni while, supporting the demand of abolition of Toll Plaza at Sarore said that it is distressing to witness the helplessness surrendering the removal of Toll Plaza while the same Government four years back managed to abrogate Article 370 and Article 35 A. He also questioned the silence of BJP over the issue.
Dogra Brahman Pratinidhi Sabha, president Ved Parkash Sharma urged the Union Transport Minster to accept the burning problem of masses to close the Toll Plaza at Sarore and Bantalab due to worst condition of Highway. The two toll Plazas don’t come under the prescribed 60 km distance fixed by the Ministry.
Chamber of Traders Federation (CTF) while extending full support to Yuva Rajput Sabha in its ongoing agitation demanded immediate release of its activists. The Federation which met here, today under the chairmanship of Neeraj Anand its patron urged the administration to understand the genuine emotions of younger brigade and avoid treating them as law and order problem.
Jammu and Kashmir Sangram Sena has also demanded immediate removal of Sarore Toll Plaza. The party which met here under the leadership of its president, Rajesh Raina made the demand. It also demanded immediate release of arrested YRS leaders and activists.
National Conference (NC) provincial president, Rattan Lal Gupta has strongly condemned the lathi charge on people at Tarore in Samba district yesterday who were protesting for suspension of Toll Plaza at Sarore. He said the citizens peaceful demonstration for getting justice is a democratic right and should be met with understanding and cooperation.
Senior Congress leader and former MLA, Thakur Balwan Singh has strongly criticized the UT administration for the arrest of several youth who took part in peaceful protest of YRS and has demanded their immediate release.
Jammu Province People’s Forum (JPPF) has expressed grave concern over illegal and unauthorized Toll Plaza at Sarore which has created a sense of unrest among the masses. It demanded immediate removal of TP and quashing of FIR against the YRS leaders.
Senior BJP leader and former Minister, Ajatshatru Singh, strongly condemned the recent Lathicharge on the Yuva Rajput Sabha members and other people demanding suspension of toll collection at Sarore, highlighting the need to restore the Jammu Lakhanpur National Highway.
In a statement issued today, Ajatshatru Singh expressed his deep concern over the unfortunate incident. He emphasized that the demands put forth by Yuva Rajput Sabha is legitimat.
Meanwhile, Government today ordered the attachment of DySP DAR, Samba.
“In the interest of administration, Ajay Anand, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DAR Samba, is hereby attached with Zonal Police Headquarters, Jammu, with immediate effect,” read an order issued in this context by Home Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
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