Farmers take over Aasoda toll plaza near Tikri border

Tribune News Service

Jhajjar, April 22

Protesting farmers took over the Aasoda toll plaza on the KMP expressway near Tikri border on Thursday in the presence of Bahadurgarh SDM Hitendra Sharma, DSP Pawan Kumar and heavy police and paramilitary personnel.

They also announced to pitch a tent at the toll plaza permanently in order to ensure free passage to the commuters till the agitation continues.

It was for the fourth time in the past four months that the protesters got the toll collection stopped. Earlier, the toll collection was stopped by the farmers on April 15 but the administration reactivated it the next day.

Earlier, the protesters, in a considerable number, reached the toll plaza at around 1 pm and engaged in verbal duel with the officers. The officers asked them not to take the law into their hands, but the farmers lifted the toll barrier and took over the plaza.

“On April 18, we served a four-day ultimatum on the district administration to stop toll collection on April 22. The officers too promised us free passage to the commuters after the deadline but they did not do so, forcing us to get the plaza shut today. We cannot rely on the officers. We have decided to pitch tents here and ensure farmers’ presence so that toll collection is not reactivated,” said Suman Hooda, a BKU (Charuni) leader.

Later, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait also reached the toll plaza and boosted the morale of protesters stating that the agitation was going in the right direction and their victory was sure. He also called upon the farmers to take care of their health and get their check-up done on getting fever.

“The protesters forcibly took over the toll plaza despite being warned of not committing the crime. They blocked the expressway for an hour disrupting vehicular traffic and stopped the toll employees from charging tax. Hence, police action will be taken against them,” said Hitendra Sharma, SDM, told The Tribune.