Jammu, Aug 25: Police said that activists of Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) arrested in Jammu for “breach of peace” will be released if any “prominent person” guarantees on their behalf that they would not repeat the offense.
“The YRS members breached the peace. They gave assurance of peaceful protest but ended up blocking the highway, which is not acceptable in any condition. Moreover, the protest turned violent with activists hurling stones at Toll Booth,” said Additional Director General of Police Mukesh Singh.
The YRS members were detained on Monday from Sarore toll plaza when they were protesting to press for its removal. At least 27 YRS activists were detained for violating restrictions around the toll plaza. Authorities had imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which forbids the gathering of four or more people at a particular place.
The YRS has demanded the removal of the toll plaza on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway in the Samba district, claiming that it was illegally set up to collect tolls from people.
The Jammu ADGP said that a high-level meeting was conducted over the issue of the toll plaza.
“All grievances which came up with LG were taken with the Centre for resolution. A team of NHAI will come here and a ground visit will be conducted to examine all the issues”, he said.
The ADGP said that the protesters would be released once any prominent person comes forward to provide a guarantee on their behalf. “They will be released the moment someone takes the guarantee,” he said.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Jammu (CCIJ) on Thursday gave a call for a bandh on August 26 to protest against the installation of smart meters in the city.
Regarding Saturday’s strike, Singh said all issues have been addressed.
“We will request them to call off the bandh as all issues have been resolved”, he said.
Meanwhile, Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar Friday said that the installation of over 1.46 lakh smart electricity meters, around 80 percent of the target, has been completed in Jammu.
He said that a grievance cell has been set up to address complaints related to the meters.
A grievance cell has been set up to address complaints of hefty bills from smart meters, if any, within two days, Kumar said.
“Over 200 complaints have been received and 180 complaints have been addressed,” he said.
Kumar said the installation of smart electricity meters will provide consumers with “better facilities” and “empower” them.KNO
