Toll collection at Jammu-Kathua national highway: Shops remain closed in Jammu bandh, traffic unaffected

The call for bandh in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts was given by Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and supported by Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association, and mainstream Opposition parties and various social organisations.

The protestors have demanded the authorities to suspend toll collection at Sarore Toll Plaza until the road construction work along the national highway is completed. The bandh supporters have also demanded the government to withdraw its decision on property tax, and release Yuva Rajput Sabha leaders who are presently lodged at Kathua district jail.

Additional Director General of Police of Jammu Mukesh Singh said on Friday that all the detained Yuva Rajput Sabha leaders will be released if any “prominent person” guaranteed that they will not indulge in activities aimed at disturbing peace.

“We are in favour of resolving issues through talks. In view of the ongoing Amarnath and Buddha Amarnath yatras, and the upcoming Raksha Bandan festival, we have asked the administration to address the issues within five days. Otherwise, the transporters right from Lakhanpur to Kashmir will go for an indefinite ‘chakka jam’ from August 31,” said Ajit Singh, chairman of the All J&K Transport Welfare Association.

Nearly three dozen Yuva Rajput Sabha leaders were arrested on Monday when they were holding dharna on roadside at Sarore Toll Plaza demanding suspension of toll collection. They were later sent to Kathua district jail.