Hunger strike over the collecting of toll taxes at Sarore in Samba continues.
Jammu, Aug. 27: Early on Sunday morning, the jailed Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) leaders were let out of Kathua jail.Although it had not yet been formally stated, sources said that the authorities had freed the YRS leaders who had been detained in Kathua prison. They were released the day after Jammu Plains had a total lockdown due to demonstrations, during which time public transit was also suspended.Businessmen, attorneys, political party officials, and members of social groups were among the demonstrators who staged a series of demonstrations in Kathua, Samba, and Jammu to demand the release of the YRS leaders who had been arrested as well as a halt to the collecting of toll taxes at Sarore.The YRS leaders’ rallies in Sarore against the toll fee collection from commuters, which they deemed unconstitutional in light of the different highway damage areas, ignited a series of protests across the Jammu plains.The Samba police apprehended the YRS protestors a few days ago while they were sitting on a dharna, suspecting that the demonstration may become a law and order issue. However, their arrest led to further demonstrations and a hunger strike.
Promotional video: 0:12
Shut down PlayerUnibots.in
Smart metre installation, toll tax collection at Sarore in the Samba district, and allegedly inflated power bills have all caused a lot of controversy in Jammu.On August 26, 2023, a one-day Jammu bandh call that was made by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Jammu, the J&K High Court Bar Association, and several political and non-political groups was successful.The bandh was held in protest of smart metre installation, toll tax collection at Sarore in the Samba area, and the demand for the release of YRS leaders from Kathua prison.The Samba hunger strikers, however, informed the local media that they would not end their continuous protest since the toll collection had not been halted. According to one of the Samba hunger strikers, it is the fourth day of the protest. The demonstrators acknowledged speaking with the freed YRS leaders and said, “We have to take any kind of decision while holding discussion with the decision-making body consisting of Beopar Mandal, all political parties, social organisations, and general people in Samba.”The demonstrators said they were unaware of the status of the FIRs filed against the freed YRS leaders. “We are waiting for official word regarding Sarore Toll Plaza, and FIR status which was filed against the released YRS leaders,” the demonstrators in Samba remarked.
