Stephan Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod

Kasargod, Jan 12: Protests erupted against the collection of toll fees on National Highway 66 at Kumbale Arikkady between Kasargod and Mangaluru, during which police detained more than 60 persons, including Manjeshwar MLA AKM Ashraf, on Monday January 12.

As soon as information about the toll collection spread on Monday morning, hundreds of people, including public representatives, gathered at the spot and launched a road blockade protest. Tension prevailed at the site as over a thousand protesters assembled, prompting the police to take precautionary measures.

Due to the protest, vehicular movement on the national highway came to a standstill, forcing vehicles to take alternative routes. With traffic disrupted for several hours, the police forcibly detained MLA A K M Ashraf, other public representatives, and several protesters who were staging a sit-in protest on the road, and took them to the police station. Traffic movement was restored thereafter.

The Toll Fee Opposition Committee pointed out that the high court has not yet completed the hearing on its petition related to the toll collection. The committee had demanded that toll collection be stopped until a final verdict is delivered. Although discussions were held between the agitation committee and National Highways officials on Monday morning, the authorities did not withdraw the toll collection, following which the protesters intensified their agitation.

The committee warned that the protest would continue until toll collection is suspended. It stated that the collection of toll fees at Kumble Arikkady, located just 23 km from Talapady, cannot be accepted under any circumstances.

Meanwhile, toll collection was resumed amid the protest.