“They are not even being granted parole, which is their fundamental right. We will be freeing the toll plazas today to wake up the governments from its deep slumber. They cannot deny the basic rights of the Sikh prisoners,” said France. (Express Photo)
As many as 49 toll plazas across Punjab were set to remain free of toll collection for three hours from noon to 3 pm Monday as part of a protest announced by the Quami Insaaf Morcha.
The Quami Insaaf Morcha, a movement demanding the release of ‘Bandi Singhs’ (Sikh prisoners), has announced the measure to make toll plazas free of toll collection as a mark of protest to press their demands.
Pal Singh France, convenor of the morcha, said that for years now, they have been demanding the release of the Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentences but are still languishing in jails across the country.
Among the major toll plazas that the protesting activists will make free of toll collection are the Ladhowal toll plaza on the Ludhiana-Jalandhar highway, the Kurali toll plaza in Mohali, and the Balachaur toll plaza.
The protesting activists will not allow the toll plaza staff to collect toll from commuters, and vehicles will be allowed to pass without any barricade, as a mark of protest, causing monetary losses of crores of rupees to the state exchequer in just three hours. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)’s Ladhowal toll plaza in Ludhiana is among the costliest in the state.
France added that labour and farmers’ unions will also participate in the protests at the toll plazas.
The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha has been actively campaigning for justice concerning the release of Sikh prisoners, the 2015 sacrilege incidents, and the Behbal Kalan firing cases. Since January 2023, the Morcha has maintained a permanent protest in Mohali. Supporters have marched toward Chandigarh and held protests, while in Bargari and nearby areas, they have organised protests addressing the 2015 sacrilege incidents.
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