Qaumi Insaaf Morcha, farm groups force toll plazas to stop collections for 3 hours

Patiala: The activists of Qaumi Insaaf Morcha on Monday took over several toll plazas across Punjab, letting motorists cross them without paying from 12pm to 3 pm. The protest was part of an ongoing agitation to demand the release of Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentences, decisive action in 2015 sacrilege cases, and the enactment of stringent laws to prevent incidents of religious desecration. The Morcha, supported by allied farm unions and other organisations, staged coordinated protests at the toll plazas of Dhareeri Jattan in Patiala district, Lehra in Bathinda, Ferozshah in Ferozepur, and Moga. Addressing gatherings at the protest sites, speakers accused both the central and Punjab govts of ignoring pending demands. According to organisers, the programme was part of a larger plan targeting up to 49 toll plazas across the state and marked a continuation of the morcha's agitation, which has been ongoing for nearly three years. "Police detained several leaders during the protests, including Gurcharan Singh at Dhareeri Jattan toll plaza on Patiala-Rajpura road along with Gurdeep Singh of Bathinda and others at Lehra, Balwinder Singh of Ferozepur at the Ferozshah plaza, and 15-20 activists in Moga. However, all detainees were released at 3pm, coinciding with the conclusion of the protest, allowing the programme to end peacefully," said farm leader Darshan Pal, president of Krantikari Kisan Union, Punjab. Leaders warned that if the authorities failed to address their demands, the agitation would be intensified, including possible road blockades in the coming days.