Guwahati: The Krishak-Sramik Unnayan Parishad (KSUP) has changed its stance on Raha toll gate. Climbing down from complete opposition, it is now demanding adequate facilities and minimum toll charges for private cars.

In a news conference on Friday, the KSUP demanded completion of all highways under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) soon, proper toilet facilities for women and children at the toll gate and imposition of Rs 50 as toll gate charges for private four-wheelers.

It demanded fulfilment of these demands within a month from Friday and threatened to launch a peaceful agitation if the demands were not met.

KSUP president Mukul Bora said, "Organisations such as the KMSS are protesting against setting up of the Raha toll gate. Instead of being concerned over welfare of farmers, the KMSS is jumping into each and every agitation. Its leader Akhil Gogoi has not been mandated by the Assamese people to protest on their behalf. He launches agitations which later fizzle out without coming to a logical conclusion. He has now hijacked the agitation against the Raha toll gate which was launched with the support of 12 organisations, including ours."

Bora, along with other organisations, declared cessation of their agitation against the toll gate for a month and asked the authorities to implement the measures demanded by the KSUP.

The KSUP held discussions with the district administration of Nagaon on issues that could arise after opening of the toll gate.

"Facilities for passengers at the toll gate like toilets for women and children remain incomplete posing a threat to their safety. We demand completion of construction of these facilities failing which people will not pay toll tax. The rates have to be reduced for all vehicles. Everyone should be made to pay the same rate. There should not be discrimination for vehicles from outside the district. We want development activities to resume. Protests inconvenience people. If needed, we will organise protests that will not affect them," Bora said.