MNS cadre attacks toll nakas

A day after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray opposed the state’s toll policy, his cadre on Wednesday attacked toll nakas in many parts of Maharashtra and paralysed vehicular traffic, especially on the highways.

A day after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray opposed the state’s toll policy, his cadre on Wednesday attacked toll nakas in many parts of Maharashtra and paralysed vehicular traffic, especially on the highways.

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Various toll nakas at Mulund, Beed and Buldhana were attacked, while demonstrations were held at the Airoli toll collection centre. Senior MNS leader Rajan Gavand said the agitation was not meant for ransacking toll booths but was instead to warn operators to display the status board and pending amounts to be collected.

“The board should display all kinds of details within the next couple of days or else they should be ready to face protests,” he warned. Gavand said that toll collection even years after the recovery of the cost was nothing worse than the draconian Jijia tax. He said agitation was carried out at all toll posts here, was led by local leaders and was by and large peaceful.

Motorists, too, have opposed the toll being recovered from them. “There is no logic for the high toll rates as petrol prices are already high and we are paying various other taxes,” said Sachin Gala, a cloth merchant from Dadar who travels outside the city often.

(With inputs from PTI)