Bantwal: CCTV exposes attack on tollgate staff - culprits still at large


Deekshit DV
Pics: Kishore BC Road
Daijiworld Media Network—Bantwal (DV)

Watch Video footage:

Bantwal, Apr 19: Using muscle power and political clout, they battered toll gate staff, threw chairs at them, tried to vandalize the NHAI toll plaza equipment, and still got away scot free. The assailants who have carried out frequent attacks on toll plaza staff at Brahmara Kootlu remain at large with the Bantwal town police failing to arrest them despite the victims filing complaints against their assaulters.

When Daijiworld contacted Bantwal police station inspector Rajashekar Mestri on this issue over phone, he said, “Investigation is being carried out. We will immediately arrest the assailants.”

Though there is strong evidence in the CCTV footage of the attack that occurred on Tuesday April 15, the police have failed to arrest the accused. According to sources, it is strong political support from a minister that has helped these assailants to carry on with their misdeeds without any fear. Sources also confirmed that the miscreants who attacked on April 15 were not paying toll charges and are wanted in various cases.





The locals organized a protest at the toll plaza in Brahmara Kootlu on Saturday April 19, condemning the repeated attacks on the tollgate staff at midnight. They condemned the police department for not taking action against the assailants even though there is proof in the form of CCTV footage. Repeated attacks over the toll gate staff has created fear among the workers.
 
Sources state that a team of youth attacked toll gate staff Sathyaraj around 3 am. A complaint has been filed at Bantwal police station and Sathyaraj has been admitted to a private hospital.
 
It is also said that the same group had attacked Girish, another tollgate staff, on April 15. After the incident, a complaint was filed at Bantwal police station against Hussainer, Nowry, and Siddique. But unfortunately, no action was taken. The attack was repeated again last night.
 
Protestors also demanded that the culprits be arrested immediately. Mestri visited the spot.     
 
Speaking to Daijiworld, Gopal Krishna Melanta said, “The attack on staff at late night has been increasing; complaints have been filed but no action has been conducted.”
 

Though Daijiworld tried to contact Shivaprasad who is the official in charge of the toll gate, he could not be reached

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Leo Victor, Bantwal

    Tue, Apr 22 2014

    Stop the Toll Collections, I come from bantwal. why the hell we should pay toll charges when we have paid heavy road taxes. stop these tolls.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajesh M, Mangalore

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    Not BJP minister, he was Cong M.P

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Cure de Ars, India

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    You say they are locals. Are they aam admis who are protesting?. Where were they before?. Who inspired them to come and protest. Do you deny that there is an effect of AAP on one and all. Recently we have seen many people wearing different color topis, leaders coming out and speaking people's language . Ordinary citizens questioning leaders. AK has given the lead IT has been an effective means. Happy Easter!!!

    DisAgree [3] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kamath, Mangalore

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    After BC road I was travelling, I paid Toll ,and I passed the same gate same direction as I missed the road, I had to pay again within 5 minutes. This is Rubbish, Attack is condemned,they are only Employs there ,but sometimes get irritated they act more than Army Jawans

    DisAgree Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lingappa, Kuppepadavu/Amsterdam

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    Were is this joker Rai,, why is he quiet? What are the cops doing? bidding time for the people to forget?

    DisAgree [2] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • Krishna, karkala

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    Incidence happened on 15th April. Ramanath Rai wanted to protect minority vote bank. Hence no arrests were made. Would Ramanath Rai have kept quite if the victims were to be his relatives

    DisAgree Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • yogisha poojary kuwait , mangalore (kuwait)

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    First of all cancel all the toll gates in india!
    Vehicles are paying road tax, then why we should pay for tall gates!

    DisAgree [6] Agree [53] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajen Gopi, Kolkata

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    May be the police needs TIPS (like stewards in restaurants get , for prompt service) so that they may act.The toll gate staff must be empowered to use tear gas/pepper spray/ small firearms against such animals.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • JNB, Bejai

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    Gujarath model, beginning ?

    DisAgree [31] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • DODANNA, MANAGLORE

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    That policy we all seen in dirty bjp govt and with their dirty leaders like yeddi,ravi,sadananda,nagraj etc.
    But form the present govt so far not seen. we both have to wait and see

    DisAgree [28] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mascarenhas, Mangalore

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    Any guess who they voted for?? :D :D

    DisAgree [2] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Neeraj Fernandes, Mangalore

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    Prasheesh Kumar. S. , Mumbai.: the old toll gate is not functioning now. It was closed after the protest once the new toll gate was started. So currently we have only one toll gate.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Cure de Ars, India

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    Good intention for the service of the society, good and simple means to achieve it. Huge number of people with topi and jadu without violence. An authoritative leadership of AK and team. And these things are found only in AAP. Election no election They are bound to make a difference for good in our bankrupt political systems soon.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Neeraj Fernandes, Mangalore

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    Cure de Ars, India: this protest was not carried out by the AAP. This was done by locals for the protection of Tollgate employees. If AAP really wants to do the protest and do the work for people, then go and do the protest in front of DC office or NHAI office. Toll gate employees are just employees who needs to collect money, according to the NHAI. Two days back AAP protested and were responsible for Traffic jam, so do you mean creating traffic problem is good?

    DisAgree [5] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sunil D'Souza, Mumbai / Mangalore

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    Please provide or leagalize tazer guns or pepper sprays to toll booth staff operating at night.

    People (staff) have even lost lives in places like Noida and UP where someone just for sake of not wanting to pay mere Rs.30/- takes that life of someone who is a sole breadwinner of the family under the political clout these goondas manage to create such ruckus..... Shame of politicians who breed such goondas,

    DisAgree Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ravi Shetty, Mangalore

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    The strategic NH48 Mangalore to Bangalore Highway stands as a classic example of the repeated false promises by successive govt's.
    While long stretches are absolutely suicidal and completely un-motorable, especially in the Shiradi Ghat section, it is a shame on Karnataka and South Kanara that all our MPs and Ministers have continued to offer mere promises. Just imagine, the present Union Cabinet Minister for Transport, Road and Highways and Labour and Employment is none other than Oscar Fernandes (among the 4 folks who are part of Sonia’s inner circle), who personally knows the pathetic condition of the highway and untold sufferings of the helpless passengers and vehicles! Tragically, even the two Congress-I ministers in the central Railway ministries are from Karnataka, crooks that have not done an iota of work for our state, unlike what Lallu and Mamata in the past for their respective states!
    Regretfully, both Oscar and his state transport colleague (Ramalinga Reddy) are known to be among the most corrupt and inefficient ministers we have ever witnessed. Moreover, what is shocking is that in the past Oscar as well as the state ministers have promised 100's of crores to repair the road and even sanctioned it: only to fill in their own pockets. To burn more salt on the wounds, just before the mode-of -conduct for elections came into effect the CM announced releasing of another 125 crores, under the disguise of making NH48 motorable, while the NHAI and its contractors continue to hike the toll! No wonder the key financiers of politicians like Oscar, Poojary, Muniappa are overnight millionaire contractors like Gopal Krishna Melanta!

    DisAgree [3] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ronald D, Udupi

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    Sudheerr, what about church attack, Home stay attack and all the moral policing by BD, SRS, HJP blessed by your BJP MP/ MLA and their party!!! Kuch be4 chaltha hai??? Soma(sura)shekara commission by yeddy!!! Please comment now!!! Sitting in a glass house you throw stones!! Modi wave for you???

    DisAgree [20] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • sid, mangalore

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    Ronald you seem to be singing only one song of church attack . this is a different issue dude . wake up

    DisAgree [2] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajesh Shetty, Mlore Shj

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    You cannot expect more positive help from this Govt when the party involved in the accused part of the crime belong to......

    DisAgree [3] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • ruchir agarwal, mangalore

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    Better to fly over toll gates

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dev, Mangalore

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    A past MP of Congress who showed gun to toll booth employees has been inducted into BJP & given ticket by Modi to contest in Gujarath, who has a criminal case against him is pending.
    The Tollgate itself is illegal as the project is not complete & they changed the Higway Number which was previously NH 48, which later got changed as 66 & now to 73 or something else Why?
    STOP this Loot Gate until they finish the Project is the only solution.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dinesh Poojary, Kundapura/Bengaluru

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    The assailants are given excuse under minority quota by KAI RAI of Bantwal.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sir Lancelot, Manglore

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    Gujarath State Highway has highest numbers of the Toll collections plaza
    Why no protest or attack....
    hara hara NAMO.

    DisAgree [29] Agree [43] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dylan, Mangalore

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    Lancelot what about the attack on toll plaza by a Gujarat Minister, do not say that there is no crime in Gujarat. Good show by the residents of Bantwal by supporting the toll plaza staff.

    DisAgree [10] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sir Lancelot, Manglore

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    Dirty Politics that too after the election got over..
    First hidden manthra politicians asked AAP candidate to protest at the toll gate.
    Rest take the advantage to attack..
    just simple.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prasheesh Kumar. S. , Mumbai.

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    ಈಗ ಮಂಗಳೂರಿನಿಂದ ಕೇವಲ 30 ಕಿ.ಮೀ ದೂರವಿರುವ ಮಾಣಿಗೆ ಹೋಗ ಬೇಕಾದರೆ ಎರಡೆರಡು ಕಡೆ ಟೋಲ್ ಕೊಡಬೇಕಾಗಿದೆ. ಒಂದು ಹೊಸ ಟೋಲ್ ಗೇಟ್ ಬಿ ಸಿ ರೋಡ್ ಹತ್ತಿರ ಹುಟ್ಟಿಕೊಂಡಿದೆ. ಹಾಗಿರುವಾಗ ಹಳೆಯ ಬ್ರಮರಕೊಟ್ಲು ಟೋಲ್-ಗೇಟನ್ನು ಬಂದು ಮಾಡಬೇಕು . ಪಾಣೆಮಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಹಳೆಯ ಸೇತುವೆಯ ಹಣ ಸರಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಎಂದೋ ವಸೂಲಾಗಿರುವಾಗ ಬ್ರಮರಕೊಟ್ಲುವಿನ ಟೋಲ್ ಗೇಟ್ ಮುಂದುವರಿಸುವುದರಲ್ಲಿ ಅರ್ಥವಿಲ್ಲ. ಯಾರಾದರೂ ಸ್ಥಳೀಯರು ಈ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಕೋರ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಪಿ‌ಐ‌ಎಲ್ ಹಾಕಿದರೆ ಕೋರ್ಟು ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕರ ಪರವಾಗಿ ತೀರ್ಪು ಕೊಡುವುದು ಖಂಡಿತ.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [49] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prasheesh Kumar. S. , Mumbai.

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿ ನಾನು ಮೊದಲು ಬರೆದುದ್ದರಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ತಪ್ಪಿದೆ. ಬ್ರಮರಕೊಟ್ಲುವಿನದು ಹೊಸ ಟೋಲ್ ಗೇಟ್ ಹಾಗೂ ಪಾಣೆಮಂಗಳೂರಿನದು ಹಳೆಯ ಟೋಲ್ ಗೇಟ್ . ಹಾಗಾಗಿ ಹಳೆಯ ಪಾಣೆಮಂಗ್ಳೂರಿನ ಟೋಲ್ ಗೇಟ್ ಬಂದು ಮಾಡಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ನನ್ನ ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯ.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Krishna, karkala

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    That is OK.
    Why should someone physically assault poor staff.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ramdas Achar, Mangalore

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    Collecting toll is legally not correct. Required amendment to the law. But who will bell the cat. BJP and Congress MPs. Absolutely no. Instead, they are ready to support the collection and get their share.

    DisAgree Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ravi B Shenava, Mangalore

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    As the cost of the construction of this Paaner Bridge has been recovered long back, why this nuisance called Tollgate is still continued in Brahmara Kotlu by the Govt ?
    This Contractor who has five other tollgate contracts in interior Karnataka is just a front-man for a powerful politician.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • P S Shetty, Mangalore

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    If we go by Car to Bangalore from Mangalore in just 360 Km distance we have to pay totally more than Rs.500/- in 5-6 Tollgates. Why so many toll gates when the hefty Road Tax is Collected by RTO ?
    If at all the Shiradi Tunnel becomes a reality as said by Oscar then how much Toll they may impose to recover Rs.4000 crores to be spent on tunnel ?
    Rags to Riches story of Contractor Gopal Krishna Melanta is directly related to a sudden increase in the Number of Tollgates all over Karnataka.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [34] Reply Report Abuse

  • George A. Borromeo, Angelore, Mangalore, India

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    Bantwal residents protest as they want to show sympathy towards Melanta the Toll collection contractor or the thrashed Staff ???? Somebody is playing Politics.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sudhir, Mangalore

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    Its congi rule...kuch bhi chaltha hai boss!!

    DisAgree [56] Agree [54] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mangalorian, Mangalore

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    This is the serious problem for all the staff who are working on night shift, it is better to give police protection during night time.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lingappa, Kuppepadavu/Amsterdam

    Sun, Apr 20 2014

    Police & protection in India,, ,which planet are you living in my mate !

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • ismail, hail

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    ಕೇರಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾಕೆ ಟೋಲ್ ಗೇಟ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಹಣ ವಸೂಲಿ ಮಾಡುಹುದಿಲ್ಲ? ಯಾಕೆಂದರೆ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಹಣ ವಸೂಲಿ ಮಾಡಿದರೆ ಗೊತ್ತಾಗಬಹುದು ಅಲ್ಲಿಯ ಜನರು ತುಂಬಾ ಪ್ರಜ್ನ ವಂತರು

    DisAgree [8] Agree [47] Reply Report Abuse

  • vittal Poojary, Muniyal/mangalore

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    I hope now somebody will not Blame Mr.Modi for this!!!! specially Mr.Rai

    DisAgree [25] Agree [45] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alwyn, mangalore

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    First of all why these TOll Gates? vehicle owners are paying all the taxes for life time while buying a vehicle...where this money goes?

    DisAgree [6] Agree [76] Reply Report Abuse

  • Aprabhu, Kudla

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    Where were these protesters and cops, and melanta when the toll was illegally raised
    by Melanta ?

    DisAgree [5] Agree [39] Reply Report Abuse

  • Radhakrishna Khandige, Mangalore

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    Mr.APrabhu,The toll cannot be increased by Melanta. He is the one who got the collecting contract by tender. He can collect as per the fixed rates by the national highway authorities.I dont think he has got any power to increase or decrease the toll fees.

    DisAgree [14] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prabhu, Mlore

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    Kandige who is the contractor ?
    From daiji world todays news.....
    Mangalore, Apr 18: The district unit of Aam Admi Party (AAP), on Friday April 18, protested against the collection of higher toll charges at Brahmara Kootlu toll gate in spite of an order by the deputy commissioner (DC) prohibiting this.

    As per the election code of conduct, the DC had strictly ordered against hiking of toll charges, but the contractors, blatantly disobeying the instructions, have increased the rates. The protestors shouted slogans against the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and demanded that the vehicle drivers pay the old rates.

    DisAgree Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Radhakrishna Khandige, Mangalore

    Mon, Apr 21 2014

    The code of conduct will come to an end soon after the elections all over india. the hike will again implemented after that.THAT HAS TO BE PROTESTED AGAIN AGAINST NATIONAL HIGHWAY AUTHORITIES !Mr MELANTA WILL COLLECT ACCORDING TO THE RATE FIXED BY THE AUTHORITIES!I think Melanta might have thought that it is like the change in petrol price recently took place!

    DisAgree Agree Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    Quite common in India......Neither police nor the ruling party has the power to fight against these goons.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [35] Reply Report Abuse

  • mohan moodbidri, moodbidri

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    why tollgate should be opened round the clock? let it be closed after midnight till 5am. If so, how much will they lose on every day in between 12am to 5am.?

    DisAgree [25] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • For Justice, Abu Dhabi / Ubar

    Sat, Apr 19 2014

    Condemnable act whoever done it. Control the situation before it takes communal colour bcoz some crooks are always there waiting to 'mud watered fishing'

    Arrest the culprits n put behind the bars.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [44] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Bantwal: CCTV exposes attack on tollgate staff - culprits still at large



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