Assam: NH-27 Blocked as Truck Drivers Protest Alleged Assault at Toll Gate

Gossaigaon: A tense situation occurred at the Telipara Toll Gate in Gossaigaon, Kokrajhar district of Assam, after several truck drivers accused toll gate staff and local miscreants of demanding illegal money and assaulting drivers.

According to reports, truck drivers arriving from outside the state alleged that toll gate authorities were demanding illegal money under the pretext of 'overloading'. When drivers refused to pay the requested amount, they were allegedly threatened and physically assaulted by a group of miscreants present at the toll plaza.

Despite the presence of Gossaigaon police at the spot during the incident, the drivers alleged that no assistance was provided to them.

Two truck drivers, one from Bihar and another from Gossaigaon, were seriously injured in the attack.

Meanwhile, today, protesting against the alleged harassment and assault, truck drivers parked their vehicles in front of the toll gate. They staged a demonstration, leading to the blockade of National Highway 27 for several hours. Vehicular movement on the highway was severely affected due to the protest.

Speaking to the media, one of the injured truck drivers said that the incident took place around 5 am when he was crossing the Telipara Toll Gate. “There were already several vehicles stopped ahead of my truck, blocking the road. Suddenly, around 20 to 30 people from the toll gate rushed towards us and started beating the drivers who were standing there. They also assaulted me, tore my clothes and threw me around. A group of four men attacked me together. I was also harassed on religious grounds, and they took away all the money I had,” the driver alleged.

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