Despite a huge congregation of protestors from Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and Asom Jatiyabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) at the disputed toll gate at Raha in Assam’s Nagaon district, the administration has clamped Section 144 CrPC to neutralize the situation.
Activists of the peasants’ body and the AJYCP, in thousands, have assembled at the Raha toll gate that has been a bone of contention for the last couple of days protesting against collecting taxes from vehicles on the route before repair of the National Highway.
Meanwhile, a volatile situation prevails at Raha with security forces deployed on war-footing.
Activists of KMSS and AJYCP in thousands started to assemble at the toll gate site since early Sunday morning. On the contrary, huge contingents of police and para-military forces have been deployed to prevent the protestors.
Top officials from the district administration and police are also stationed at the Raha toll gate to avert any untoward incident.
Meanwhile, the road tax collection at the toll gate has been temporarily suspended.
The KMSS activists under the leadership of its firebrand leader Akhil Gogoi have blocked the National Highway to register their protest.
The protestors are of the view that though the administration has given permission for a democratic protest, now the security forces deployed at the toll gate are obstructing the protestors to register their protest through agitation.
They were of the view that no matter what, the agitation will continue with full force.
Notably, various regional organizations have raised their voice against collection of road tax that resumed at the Raha toll gate from July 12 last.
Several organizations have been staging strong protests since then at the Raha toll gate and also at several places across Assam.
However, the State Government is maintaining a stoic silence on the matter.
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