In the district of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, a soldier returning to duty after leave faced an attack by toll plaza employees. The soldier and his brother were tied to a pole and beaten with sticks. Angry villagers retaliated by causing damage at the Bhuni toll plaza. Former BJP legislator Sangeet Som staged a protest and confronted police officials. A grand meeting was called on Tuesday demanding strict action against the assailants. Currently, police have arrested half a dozen attackers.
The entire incident occurred at the Bhuni toll plaza on the Meerut-Karnal National Highway (NH-709A) on August 17th night. Toll employees severely assaulted Indian Army soldier Kapil Singh and his brother Shivam. Following the incident, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) imposed a fine of 2 million rupees on the toll collection agency, Messrs Dharam Singh & Company, and has initiated steps to terminate their contract and bar their future toll plaza bidding. The Indian Army has also strongly condemned this incident.
Source: aajtak
After the release of the assault video against the soldier, local residents of Meerut erupted in protest and took to social media. The incident occurred on a Sunday evening at the Bhuni toll plaza in the Sarurpur area as a soldier from Gotka village, stationed in Srinagar, headed for Delhi airport.
Six Arrested After Soldier Beating Incident
His car got stuck in a long queue, and when he asked the toll staff to expedite clearing the way, a dispute erupted. The confrontation quickly escalated into a physical assault on Kapil. Based on CCTV footage and the soldier’s family's complaint, police have filed a case and arrested six staff members.
Source: aajtak
Superintendent of Police (Rural) Rakesh Kumar Mishra stated that toll employees and some local youths tied Kapil and his companions to a pole and assaulted them. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend others involved.
NHAI Takes Action
Reacting to this event, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) imposed a penalty of 2 million rupees on the toll revenue agency, Messrs Dharam Singh, citing a serious breach of contract. The authority has also begun proceedings to terminate the agency's contract and bar it from future bidding.
NHAI issued a statement saying, 'NHAI strongly condemns such behavior by toll plaza staff and is committed to ensuring safe and uninterrupted travel on national highways.'
Indian Army Issues a Statement
The Indian Army’s Central Command expressed a sharp reaction, stating, “The army condemns such incidents against a serving soldier. Senior officials of the Uttar Pradesh Police have been contacted to ensure justice.”
The statement added that a First Information Report (FIR) has been filed under sections of the Indian Penal Code for attempted murder, unlawful assembly, and robbery, with the army also registering a complaint with NHAI. The Central Command stated, 'The Indian Army is committed to ensuring justice and will see the matter through to its logical conclusion.'
Beyond the backlash on social media, public protests ensued on Monday with angry villagers gathering at the toll plaza, chanting slogans, and allowing vehicles to pass without paying tolls. Protestors demanded the cancellation of the toll collection company's license.
Sangeet Som Warns Policemen
Meanwhile, BJP leader and former MLA from Sardhana, Thakur Sangeet Som, arrived at the scene and joined the protest with villagers. Sangeet Som remarked that hooliganism would not be tolerated under the BJP government, and disrespecting an army soldier was unacceptable.
See Video–
Amid villagers on the roadside, the former MLA warned that he would continue the indefinite sit-in unless the accused were arrested and jailed. He made several officials, including SP (Rural) Rakesh Mishra, sit on the ground and stated, 'If no one has the guts to lift me from this protest, call the captain.' Som warned SP Rural,
