Release of Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) Leaders from Kathua Jail Amidst Ongoing Hunger Strike Against Sarore Toll Tax Collection
27-08-2023 : The detained leaders of Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) were released from Kathua jail in the early hours of Sunday. Although the authorities have not yet made an official announcement, reliable sources confirm that the YRS leaders, who had been held in detention at Kathua jail, have been released. This development comes on the heels of a complete shutdown observed in the Jammu plains the previous day, marked by protests and the suspension of public transportation.
The trigger for the series of protests that swept across Jammu, Samba, and Kathua was the demand for the release of the detained YRS leaders and the cessation of toll tax collection at Sarore. These demonstrations gained momentum after YRS leaders held protests at Sarore, objecting to the imposition of toll tax on commuters due to the compromised condition of the highway at various points.
The situation escalated when the YRS protesters were apprehended by the Samba police during their dharna (sit-in protest) a few days ago, as authorities were concerned about potential law and order disturbances. Paradoxically, this detention spurred even more widespread protests and the commencement of a hunger strike. The controversies surrounding the installation of smart meters, the toll tax collection at Sarore in Samba district, and alleged inflated electricity bills have generated significant public outcry in the Jammu region.
In response to these concerns, prominent entities such as the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), the J&K High Court Bar Association, and various political and non-political organizations called for a successful one-day Jammu bandh on August 26, 2023. This protest action aimed to express opposition to the Sarore toll tax collection, advocate against the installation of smart meters, and demand the release of the YRS leaders from Kathua jail.
Despite the release of the YRS leaders, hunger strike protests continue in Samba. This ongoing agitation reflects the persistent discontent over the toll tax collection, which remains in effect. The hunger strikers have communicated their intent to engage in discussions with the decision-making bodies, including Beopar Mandal, political parties, social organizations, and the general public in Samba, in order to determine the course of their protest.
Amid this uncertainty, the protesters in Samba remain in the dark regarding the status of FIRs (First Information Reports) lodged against the released YRS leaders. As they await official updates on both the Sarore Toll Plaza situation and the FIR status, these dedicated protesters are resolute in their determination to advocate for their concerns and achieve a resolution that aligns with their demands.
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