Rasta roko by sugarcane farmers on National Highway in Belagavi prohibited

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Earlier this month protesting sugarcane farmers parked tractors to block the National Highway near Hattargi causing inconvenience to commuters and goods vehicles. | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO

The district administration has banned the National Highway rasta roko by sugarcane farmers planned for Saturday.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan on Friday issued prohibitory order against efforts that will stop traffic anywhere on the National Highway or block the movement of vehicles or stop operations at toll plazas in the district.

The order prohibiting public vehicle movement, road blockades and obstruction to toll plaza operations on National Highways passing through Belagavi district was issued by Mr. Roshan, as he is also the District Magistrate in-charge of law and order in the district.

Quoting provisions of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, the Deputy Commissioner said that the rasta roko protest called for by various farmer organizations and youth groups regarding sugarcane pricing and other demands will lead to the blockade of the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway 48 which is a major inter-State route connecting Maharashtra and Karnataka.

The proposed protests at toll plazas (Bankapur, Hirebagewadi, Hattargi and Kognoli) will cause severe inconvenience to inter-State travelers, emergency services and the general public. They will disrupt the functioning of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and toll management. “Any person or group found violating the order will face legal action,” the Deputy Commissioner said.

The order says that no person or organization or group is allowed to stage protests, sit-ins, dharna, rallies or block roads on National Highway 48 or any other National Highway in the district nor completely or partially stop vehicle movement or obstruct public transport.

Blocking entry and exit routes of toll plazas, including those in Hirebagewadi, Hattargi and Kognoli, obstructing toll collection, obstructing toll staff from performing duties or disrupting vehicle movement at toll plazas are prohibited.

Stopping vehicles in groups on carriageways, service roads, entry/exit routes or toll plaza areas, causing traffic jams, parking vehicles horizontally to block roads, or causing any obstruction to public traffic are prohibited.

Sitting or sleeping on the road, placing barricades or other objects across the road or engaging in any activity that obstructs public traffic on National Highways or connecting roads are prohibited.

Causing any obstruction to the smooth movement of ambulances, fire engines, police vehicles, emergency medical service vehicles and essential service vehicles is prohibited.

The order also mandates ensuring no disruption to the daily commute of school/college students, teachers, staff, senior citizens, patients going to hospitals, their caregivers and the general public.

Damaging NHAI property, toll plazas, road safety equipment, barricades and other public property, obstructing their operation or obstructing government officials and staff on duty are prohibited.

The Superintendent of Police, Belagavi District, and the Commissioner of Police, Belagavi City, are directed to implement necessary police security and traffic control measures in their respective jurisdictions to strictly enforce this order.

The other department officers, Tahsildars and Executive Magistrates are directed to cooperate.

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