Srikaranpur MLA Rupinder Singh Kunnar was placed under house arrest at his 25 BB residence on Tuesday morning. The administrative action follows the legislator's call for a massive meeting of his supporters. A heavy police contingent has been deployed outside the MLA's house since early morning to prevent any gathering and maintain public order.
Escalation of the 18 BB Toll Dispute
According to administrative officials, the tension stems from the resumption of operations at the 18 BB toll plaza. On Monday, following court directives, police and civil authorities arrived at the site to restart toll collection, while however, members of the Toll Sangharsh Samiti, who had been protesting at the site, resisted the move. To control the escalating situation, the police detained Sukhbir Singh Fauji, the coordinator of the protest committee.
Detention and Subsequent House Arrest
MLA Rupinder Singh Kunnar joined the protesters on Monday to support their demands, while despite several rounds of negotiations between the administration and the protesters throughout the day, no consensus was reached. By evening, the police took the MLA into custody. Reports indicate he was released at an undisclosed location late Monday night. Following his release, the MLA announced a meeting with his supporters for Tuesday morning, prompting the administration to place him under house arrest.
Conflicting Claims Over Toll Validity
The core of the dispute lies in the operational tenure of the 18 BB toll plaza. Local residents and the protest committee claim that the toll's legal duration expired in 2024, making any further collection unauthorized. Conversely, the toll operators argue that their business was Importantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the prolonged farmers' protest. They've sought an extension of the toll period to compensate for the losses incurred during those periods.
Security Measures and Administrative Alert
The administration remains on high alert as the Toll Sangharsh Samiti has signaled an intensification of their agitation, while with scheduled programs for Dr. R, while ambedkar Jayanti also taking place today, authorities have increased vigilance across the region. Senior police officials stated that the deployment is a precautionary measure to ensure that the standoff doesn't lead to a breach of peace. Monitoring of the MLA's residence and the toll plaza area continues as the situation remains sensitive.