Army Jawan Assault at Bhuni Toll Plaza: The case of assault on an army jawan on Sunday night at Bhuni toll plaza of Meerut-Karnal highway is continuously gaining momentum. Kapil Kumar, a Rajput Regiment jawan from Gotka village, who is currently posted in Srinagar, had come home on leave. On Sunday, he reached the Bhuni toll plaza with his family by car to catch a flight from Delhi to Srinagar. Kapil showed his army ID card to pass through the toll, but the toll workers not only snatched his card and mobile but also started abusing him. On protesting, the toll employees took Kapil hostage and beat him brutally with sticks.
Video of brutal beating goes viral
According to eyewitnesses, the toll workers attacked not only Jawan Kapil but also his cousin Shivam and father Krishnapal, who were with him. The jawan was tied to a pole and beaten with sticks. During this, even his clothes were torn. The video of the incident went viral on social media, after which the matter worsened.
NHAI took strict action against the toll company
The National Highway Authority (NHAI) has taken this shameful incident with the army jawan very seriously. On the instructions of Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, a heavy fine of Rs 20 lakh has been imposed on toll contractor M/s Dharam Singh. Also, this firm has been excluded from bidding on all future toll projects. The process of cancelling the current contract has also been started. NHAI posted on X (former Twitter) saying that strict action has been taken on the misbehavior with the army jawan.
Villagers’ anger erupted, and an attack on the toll plaza
A panchayat was called in Gotka village on Monday morning, and after this, hundreds of villagers reached the toll plaza. The angry mob vandalized the toll booth, broke the boom barriers, and uprooted the cameras. The toll was made free in no time. The villagers demanded action against the accused under the NSA and the Gangster Act.
Former MLA Sangeet Som also reached the protest
Amidst the uproar, former BJP MLA Sangeet Som also reached the spot and sat on a dharna with the villagers. He demanded the arrest of the toll workers and warned that if all the accused were not sent to jail, there would be an indefinite dharna at the toll plaza. He said, “The soldier protects the country by risking his life, and these goons are beating him; this will not be tolerated at any cost.”
6 accused arrested, 24-hour ultimatum
The police tried to control the crowd, but the administration seemed helpless in the face of the anger of the villagers. The uproar continued for six hours. Late in the evening, the police said that six accused have been arrested in this case, and the search for the rest is on. However, the villagers have warned that if all the accused are not arrested within 24 hours, the agitation will become more violent.
Administration’s efforts failed
SDM Sardhana Udit Narayan Sengar, ADM Administration Satyaprakash, and SP Rural Dr. Rakesh Kumar Mishra reached the spot, but the villagers were not in the mood to talk. He said that the insult to the army soldier will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The matter became more heated with the arrival of former MLA Sangeet Som and BJP District President Shivkumar Rana.
NHAI ordered a departmental inquiry
NHAI has also ordered a departmental inquiry into the Bhuni toll plaza incident. Regional officers and local officials have been asked to submit a detailed report. According to officials, this action has been taken on the instructions received from the headquarters level, and the culprits will not be spared at any cost.