The Jammu & Kashmir administration released 26 leaders of the Yuva Rajput Sabha from Kathua’s central jail early on Sunday, following a complete shutdown and widespread protests across the Jammu region. The leaders, including the Sabha’s president Vikram Singh and former president Happy Singh, were arrested in connection with protests against the implementation of pre-paid smart meters, the Sarore toll plaza, property tax, and the arrest of the Sabha members.
The Shutdown and Protests
The Jammu region, known for its strong support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), ground to a halt on Saturday as the protests gained momentum. The demonstrators’ primary grievances centered around the proposed installation of pre-paid smart meters, the Sarore toll plaza, and the imposition of property tax. The bandh (shutdown) disrupted life in districts such as Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, and Reasi.
Arrest and Release
A day after the region-wide shutdown, police and civil administration officials from Samba district arrived at Kathua’s central jail around 4 a.m. on Sunday. The 26 arrested leaders were promptly released and transported to their respective homes by approximately 5:30 a.m., according to a police officer from Kathua, reports Hindustan Times. The leaders had been apprehended at the Sarore toll plaza, where they held a protest, demanding the reversal of toll charges, withdrawal of pre-paid smart meter plans, and the abolishment of property tax.
Pending Legal Proceedings
It’s important to note that the case against the released leaders has not been quashed at this time. The leaders were originally booked for breach of peace under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which prohibits gatherings of four or more individuals at a specific location.
Hunger Strike and Ongoing Demands
Even with the release of the Sabha leaders, hunger strikes persisted. Activists and locals in Samba town continued to abstain from food, emphasizing that their struggle extended beyond the leaders’ release. “The administration has only released our leaders. The rest of our demands are yet to be met. We have climbed one step of the ladder. For the past 100 hours, we have been on hunger strike and will not step back for the cause of Jammu. There is a long battle ahead,” stated Lucky Singh, one of the Sabha leaders participating in the hunger strike.
Opposition Involvement
Opposition parties, including Congress, National Conference, Apni Party, PDP, CPI (M), Shiv Sena, and Muslim Front, aligned themselves with the protests, particularly after the Yuva Rajput Sabha took up the cause. The administration attempted to diffuse tensions by dispatching senior officials ADGP Mukesh Singh and divisional commissioner Ramesh Kumar, who addressed concerns regarding smart meters and the toll plaza in a press conference.
NHAI’s Assessment
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) also responded to the ongoing protests by announcing a plan to assess the condition of the Pathankot-Jammu-Srinagar national highway (NH44), including Tarnah Bridge and Sarore toll plaza. NHAI member Sudip Chaudhary is scheduled to visit the region for a three-day assessment starting August 29. Chaudhary will subsequently submit a report to NHAI chairman Santosh Yadav, which will then be presented to the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari.
As the protests continue to draw attention and the situation evolves, residents of the Jammu region remain watchful for further developments and responses from the administration.
The Chenab Times News Desk