Protest Erupts Over Entry Tax Hike in Himachal Pradesh

Tension surged at the borders of Himachal Pradesh with Punjab and Haryana on Wednesday, following the implementation of a revised entry tax for vehicles. This move sparked protests and disrupted traffic at several locations.

Protestors, primarily from Punjab, conducted a 'chaka jam' at the Garmoda toll on the Kirathpur-Nerchowk road in Bilaspur district. They demanded exemptions for vehicles registered in border districts, questioning the necessity of the entry tax after a rollback announcement by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Authorities assured protestors that their grievances would be conveyed to higher officials, proposing a ten-day period to address the issues. Protests affected traffic at numerous entry points, with some routes being diverted. The situation has prompted police deployment at various sites to maintain order.