Since the equipment including computer systems at the toll booths have been damaged beyond repair, the toll collection at the toll gate has been temporarily suspended.
According to the complaint lodged at Bantwal town police station, a group of nearly 25 persons including Mohammed Shareef, Shakeer, Palla Adam, Azeez and Sameer Salim came in three auto rickshaws, two four-wheelers and over 10 two-wheelers at the toll plaza on Saturday and began vandalizing the place for collecting exorbitant rates as toll fee for passing vehicles. It is said that damages worth over Rs 10 lakhs were caused due to the vandalism.
It is said that TMC member Mohammed Shareef began an argument with the staff collecting the toll fee over a petty reason. In the argument, the toll collection staff were said to have behaved in an unruly manner, following which the group arrived and began vandalizing the plaza.
The glass panes were shattered by the group of men, while equipment such as CCTV cameras, computers and chairs were also broken. It is also learnt that the toll plaza manager Shivakumar and other staff were assaulted by the same group of people.
In the ensuing melee, Rs 1 lakh in cash collected by the toll gate staff was also snatched from the toll counter, according to the complaint filed by Shivakumar.
Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police S D Sharanappa visited the spot and began enquiries. Bantwal police have registered a case.
It is also learnt that few Bajrang Dal activists arrived at the spot following the vandalism and reportedly used foul language against DySP Rashmi Paradi when she tried to control the situation.
Comments
Add new comment