Punjab tourists clash with Himachal toll plaza employees, locals; FIRs registered

An altercation broke out at the Takoli toll plaza under the jurisdiction of Aut police station on Sunday between tourists from Punjab and the toll plaza staff along with local residents. The incident, which escalated into a physical confrontation, resulted in injuries to those from both sides and has led to the registration of cross FIRs.

Toll plaza workers and local residents alleged that tourists flashed swords to scare them. The dispute erupted on payment of toll tax.

According to Mandi SP Sakshi Verma, four tourists who had arrived from Punjab to visit the revered Manikaran Sahib and identified as Gurvinder Singh, Sahil Sindhu, Ekambir and Varun Deep Singh were allegedly involved in a verbal and physical dispute with toll employees and some locals. Following the confrontation, both parties submitted complaints to the local police.

Based on the initial findings, an FIR has been registered against the four tourists under sections 115(2), 191(2), 190, and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) along with provisions of the Arms Act (25, 54, 59). The accused tourists were taken into custody and produced before the court yesterday, where from they were sent to police custody.

The SP confirmed that further investigation into the matter is currently underway.

“Simultaneously, a cross FIR was filed by one of the tourists, Varun Deep Singh, against the toll staff and local individuals involved in the incident. This complaint has also been registered under sections 191(2), 190, 126(2), 115(2), and 352 of the BNS,” the SP said.

The police have not ruled out the possibility of additional arrests or legal action as the investigation progresses. The SP stated that statements from witnesses and CCTV footage from the toll plaza are being reviewed to establish the sequence of events.

Himachal Tribune