Watch: Meerut toll staff salute Army personnel days after attack on solider

Days after a video of an assault on an Army Jawan at a toll plaza in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut went viral, fresh videos emerging from different toll booths are now showing workers saluting army vehicles and offering water to soldiers.

A recent clip, reportedly from Kashi toll plaza on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway where toll staff were seen offering salutes as Army trucks passed by. A video of the warm gesture has gone viral, drawing attention to a visible change in the behaviour of toll staff.

Several toll staff members were also seen saluting Army personnel passing through the toll booth in their cars.

The shift comes in the wake of strong action by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the police following the incident of August 17, when the toll staff were seen pinning the soldier, Kapil, to a lamp post and beating him with sticks, and at one point, even attacking him with a brick.

The incident unfolded at Bhuni toll plaza, located on Karnal Highway under Sarurpur police station limits.

Kapil, a soldier stationed in Jammu and Kashmir, was returning to duty from his village and travelling to Delhi with a friend. As they approached the toll plaza on the Karnal Highway, a dispute over the traffic jam and toll fee reportedly escalated into a physical assault.

The video of the assault quickly spread online, sparking widespread outrage and demands of stern action.

Anger spilt over when villagers stormed the toll plaza and vandalised the site in protest. Police soon registered a case and arrested eight accused in connection with the assault.

The NHAI also stepped in, slapping a fine of Rs 20 lakh on the toll plaza operator. Officials further initiated the process to terminate the contract of the company managing the plaza, with directions that it should not be awarded any toll-related work in the future.

Since then, reports suggest a marked change in the approach of toll workers.

In the viral videos, staff can be seen standing to attention, saluting army vehicles as they pass through, and even handing bottles of water to soldiers. Observers believe the gesture is an attempt to restore goodwill and avoid a repeat of the Meerut clash.

Authorities have said that strict monitoring of toll plazas will continue, and any misconduct will invite action.

Locals too feel that the intervention has brought accountability and improved the treatment of commuters, especially servicemen.

The incident has not only highlighted tensions at toll booths but also underlined the swift response of law enforcement and NHAI in dealing with such cases.

With videos of respectful gestures now replacing the earlier violent clip, the message appears to be that misbehavior will not be tolerated.

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