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Incident Overview

A soldier from the Rajput Regiment faced a brutal assault at a toll plaza in Meerut while on his way back to his post in Srinagar after his leave. The incident occurred on Sunday night when the soldier's vehicle was caught in a long queue, and he showed his service ID to the toll staff, requesting them to let him pass.

Soldier's Statement

Kapil Panwar, the injured soldier, expressed that while he has no hesitation in confronting enemies at the border, being treated this way in his own country is disheartening. He stated, 'The physical injuries will heal over time, but the emotional scars will last a lifetime.'

Consequences for Toll Operators

Following the assault on the soldier at the Bhuni toll plaza on the Meerut-Karnal National Highway, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) seized ₹3.70 crore in security from the toll operator, M/s Dharm Singh, and suspended their operations for one year. Kapil, a resident of Gotka village, is currently hospitalized.

Details of the Incident

On the night of August 17, Kapil was en route to duty when he encountered a dispute between toll staff and other drivers at the plaza. He requested the toll workers to allow him to pass, citing urgency and showing his ID. Instead of assistance, he was met with hostility and violence.

Police Action and Arrests

According to police reports, toll employees assaulted Kapil and his companions, Shivam and Sudhir, using sticks and iron rods. So far, eight individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident. Kapil's family, who were in the car at the time, were unable to assist due to issues with the vehicle's lock.

Call for Justice

The soldier's parents have voiced their concerns and are demanding severe punishment for those responsible. In response to the incident, the NHAI has terminated the toll operation contract and taken over management, with a 15-member team from the Bagpat division now in charge. Plans are underway to resume cash transactions at the toll.

Current Status

Since the incident, the toll barriers have been raised, allowing only vehicles equipped with FASTag to pass through. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr. Vipin Tada confirmed that eight suspects have been apprehended, and efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining individuals. Enhanced security measures have been implemented at all toll plazas in the district, and toll staff have been instructed to treat travelers with respect.

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