Residents of several villages near Attari staged a protest under the leadership of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, accusing the Chiddan toll plaza contractor of forcibly collecting toll fees despite existing government exemptions for locals.
Villagers from Attari, Mode, Bachiwind, Khasa Chicha, Bhakna, Rora Wala, Neshta, Mohawa, Puccapind, and Raja Tal said the new toll contractor is illegally charging locals, including labourers, in violation of a policy that exempts residents living within a certain distance of the toll plaza.
“Our villages are close to the border, and Khasa is the nearest town for all our basic needs,” said protestor Jagtar Singh. “Earlier, we were exempted by showing proof of residence. Now we are being forced to pay every time we use the road.”
Residents explained that their homes are on one side of the toll plaza while their agricultural fields lie on the other, requiring them to cross multiple times a day. “We can’t afford to pay tolls for every trip,” said Joginder Singh, adding that frequent travel makes it financially unfeasible.
The villagers further stated that following the farmers’ protest at the Delhi border, it was agreed that the toll plaza would be made free for locals, but the contractor has ignored that commitment. They also reminded authorities of their long-standing sacrifices during wars, the Covid pandemic, and national crises like the 2001 Parliament attack.
Addressing the protest, Rattan Singh Randhawa of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha said the harassment of border villagers is unacceptable and demanded that the previous exemption policy be immediately restored.
The protesters warned that if their demands are not met, they will intensify their agitation against what they call “unjust toll collection in a sensitive border region.”
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