Five arrested for arson, vandalism at Nallur toll plaza in Chennai

CHENNAI: Five suspects were arrested on Thursday for arson and vandalism at Nallur toll plaza on Wednesday. Search is on for those who stole cash from the plaza counters during the clash. Police plan to comb the neighbouring villages to narrow down the suspects.
Truck and van drivers vandalized the toll plaza in the city’s northern suburbs after the staff roughed up some of them for questioning the hike in rates for monthly passes. Chaos reigned at the Nallur toll plaza in Thiruvallur bringing traffic to a standstill along the Chennai-Kolkata highway for more than an hour. Police registered two separate cases and arrested five people from both sides, who were later remanded in Puzhal prison.
Meanwhile, the toll plaza manager lodged a fresh complaint at Sholavaram police station demanding legal action against the suspects who stole cash from the collection booths. The officials have also given CCTV camera footage of some people attacking and damaging the computers at the toll booth and stealing cash from the counters.
The toll plaza, established in 2009 by the NHAI, is maintained by a private concessionaire. Until last financial year, the monthly pass cost Rs 150 and Rs 300 for local traffic within 10km and 10-20km radius from the plaza. Toll rates were revised on April 1. The manifold increase in rate of monthly passes resulted in protests by local truck and van drivers during the second week of April.