Protest against Illegal Toll Collection
Local villagers near Madhura Moti Chowk in Kotha block area of Katihar protested by burning tires on the main road against illegal toll collection at Chachari bridge. The bridge was constructed by some middlemen, who started extorting money from the people passing through it. In response, the villagers blocked the road by burning tires on the Kolasib-Semapur road and raised slogans against the exploitation.
Allegations of Forced Payments
The villagers alleged that even if they took a different route to avoid the Chachari bridge, they were still forced to pay money. They claimed that the bridge should not have been constructed during the rainy season, as it was washed away. According to regulations, a diversion should have been built before demolishing the bridge, which was not done by the authorities.
Illegal Activities Uncovered
It was revealed that some middlemen took advantage of the situation and started extorting money in the name of the bridge construction. The illegal toll collection has been going on for the past month, with villagers being forced to pay multiple times a day. The angered villagers staged a protest by blocking the road and demanded an investigation by the district administration.
Police Intervention and Calls for Inquiry
The situation was brought under control by the police from Kolasib, who arrived at the scene. The villagers are urging the district administration to look into the matter and take appropriate action against those involved in the illegal toll collection at Chachari bridge.
कटिहार के कोढ़ा प्रखंड क्षेत्र के मधुरा मोती चौक के पास स्थानीय ग्रामीणों ने अवैध वसूली के खिलाफ प्रदर्शन किया। चचरी पुल के निर्माण के बाद लोगों से जबरन पैसे वसूलने की शिकायत करते हुए ग्रामीणों ने टायर जलाकर सड़क जाम किया। ग्रामीणों का कहना है कि पुल को तोड़ने से पहले संवेदक द्वारा डायवर्सन का निर्माण कराना चाहिए था, जो नहीं हुआ। ग्रामीणों ने जिला प्रशासन से इस मामले की जांच करने की मांग की है।