Toll plaza staff attacked an army soldier returning on duty after a holiday in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh. The young man and his brother were tied to the pole and beaten with sticks. Angry villagers vandalized the roasted toll plaza. Not only this, former BJP MLA Sangeet Som sat on a dharna and provoked the police officers. In this regard, a mahapanchayat was also convened on Tuesday, in which anger was expressed over the incident of assault with the jawan, as well as demanding strict action on the accused and careless. At present, the police have arrested half a dozen attackers.
Actually, the whole matter is of roasted toll plaza located on the Meerut-Karnal National Highway (NH-709A), where an embarrassing incident came to light on the night of 17 August. In this, toll staff brutally assaulted Indian Army soldier Kapil Singh and his brother Shivam. After this incident, NHAI has taken strict action and imposed a fine of Rs 20 lakh on the toll collection agency, Messrs Dharam Singh & Co.. At the same time, the process of ending the company’s contract and preventing participation in the bidding of toll plazas in the future has started. The Indian Army has also strongly condemned the incident.
At the same time, after the video of the incident of assault with the jawan surfaced, the local people of Meerut protested and there was anger on social media. The incident took place on Sunday evening at the roasted toll plaza in Sarurpur area when a soldier from Gotka village, Kapil, was going to Delhi Airport.
Army soldier beaten up on toll, 6 arrested
His car was stuck in a long queue and when he asked the toll workers to clear the way, the dispute started. On seeing this, the debate increased that Kapil was beaten up by the toll staff. On the basis of CCTV footage and complaint of the jawan’s family, the police registered a case and arrested 6 employees.
Superintendent of Police (Rural) Rakesh Kumar Mishra said that toll staff and some local youth tied Kapil and his associates with a pillar and beat him up. He said that efforts are on to identify and arrest others involved.
NHAI took action
Taking cognizance of the incident, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Monday imposed a fine of Rs 20 lakh on toll recovery agency Messrs Dharam Singh, calling it “serious violation of contract”. The authority has also started proceedings to end the agency’s contract and stop it from bidding in future.
NHAI said in a statement, “NHAI toll plaza strongly condemns such behavior of employees and is committed to ensuring a safe and uninterrupted journey on national highways.”
Indian Army gave this statement
The middle command of the Indian Army also reacted sharply. A post on X said- “The army strongly condemns such an incident against a serving soldier. Senior officials of Uttar Pradesh Police have been contacted to punish the culprits.”
It further states that an FIR has been lodged under the provisions of attempt to murder, illegal gathering and robbery under the Code of Justice of India (BNS) and the army has also lodged a protest against NHAI. The Central Command said, “The Indian Army is committed to ensuring justice and will take the matter to its logical conclusion.”
In addition to the sharp response on social media, public protests also took place on Monday after this incident, angry villagers gathered at toll plazas, raising slogans and allowing vehicles to pass without toll payment. The protesters demanded the cancellation of the license of the toll recovery company.
Sangeet Som warns policemen
On the other hand, BJP leader and former MLA of Sardhana Thakur Sangeet Som also reached the spot and sat on a dharna with the villagers. Sangeet Som said that Gundai will not work in the BJP government. An insult to the army soldier will not be tolerated. Watch video-
Sitting on the road among the villagers, the former MLA warned that if the accused were not arrested and sent to jail, they will give indefinite dharna here. He also seated SP countryside Rakesh Mishra, ADM Administration, SDM and other officials on the road and said that no one has the status of anyone who lifts them from the dharna. Som said to the SP countryside- “Nap will go to Mishra ji … This is what you are calling in your air and not the captain … So go to the captain, call.”
SP said this
Talking to the media, SP (Rural) Mishra said that additional police forces have been sent to the spot from several police stations to control the situation and calm the crowd. At the moment, peace system is maintained. Mishra said that on the basis of CCTV footage and written complaint, six accused – who have been identified as Sachin, Vijay, Anuj, Ankit, Suresh Rana and Ankit Sharma – have been arrested on charges of attacking the soldier.
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