Manjeshwar: A protest against new toll collection on National Highway 66 escalated into violence on Wednesday as demonstrators attacked a toll plaza in Arikady, destroying surveillance cameras and vandalising collection counters.

The incident occurred on the third day of an agitation led by an all-party action committee. More than 500 protesters, headed by Manjeshwar MLA A.K.M. Ashraf, have been staging a sit-in near the plaza to demand the immediate withdrawal of toll fees. The situation turned tense on Wednesday evening when individuals among the crowd targeted the booth’s infrastructure, smashing windows and damaging electronic equipment.

The dispute centres on the location of the Arikady plaza, which protesters claim is just 22 kilometres (about 14 miles) from the existing toll point at Thalapady. They contend this violates National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) guidelines that stipulate a minimum distance of 60 kilometres (37 miles) between two toll plazas.

"We did not expect toll collection to begin while the case is still pending before the court," Ashraf said. "This is an injustice to local residents who must now pay twice within a short distance. We will defeat any attempt to force this toll upon us."

NHAI officials previously stated that the Arikady booth is a temporary arrangement. The permanent plaza is slated for Chalingal, but because that section of the highway remains under construction, the agency began collecting at Arikady to recover costs for the completed first phase.

Last year, the Kerala High Court dismissed petitions challenging the temporary plaza. However, the action council has since filed an appeal, arguing that tolling should be suspended until a final verdict is reached.