Farmers overpower staff at toll plazas on Chandigarh-Delhi highway, allow toll-free movement
Farmers Protest against Farm Laws 2020, Block Toll Plaza at Panipat and Karnal: As announced by the farmers' organisations, the agitating farmers overpowered staff at the toll plazas at Karnal and Panipat on the Chandigarh-Delhi National Highway 44 permitting toll-free movement of all vehicles from Friday midnight.
The decision to make toll plazas free for a day was taken by the farmers' unions as they decided to intensify their protest against the Centre’s farm laws 2020.
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According to an eye-witness at Karnal toll plaza the protestors reached the toll plazas at midnight and asked the officials to allow the toll-free movement of all vehicles even as they removed the barricades.
Meanwhile, a heavy police force has been deployed at the toll plaza. As per the report, Karnal SP Ganga Ram Punia said that the police has been deployed to ensure people do not disturb the law and order.
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Ravi Tiwari, a toll plaza in charge said, "This toll has been free since 12 am last night. Some farmers had come and it has been done for their agitation. We haven't received any order yet as to how long this will continue but farmers are saying that this will remain free till 12 am tonight."
On Saturday morning, when the farmers left, the officials started charging a toll, after which the farmers returned and again forced officials to allow toll-free movement.
The farmers' protest has been intensified after the Centre refused to repeal the three farm laws 2020 i.e. the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
-PTC News