Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (RJP/CLP)

Mangalore, Oct 1: Three miscreants who came by bikes broke the glass panes of an office at Thokkottu here on the night of September 30 and fled the spot.

The miscreants entered Smart City Office, belonging to Hindustan Builders and broke the glass panes with the help of wooden bats. At the time of the incident, the employees were still busy with their work. The office is situated in the heart of the town.

A white bike was used by the miscreants. Eyewitnesses said that one person was waiting near the bike while the other two were engaged in the act. After the incident, the trio escaped from the spot.

Ullal police have registered a case. They are on the lookout for the culprits. The motive is not known so far. The losses are yet to be ascertained.

Sources said that a person who owns many textile shops in Thokkottu had purchased a few shops for Rs 1 crore in a building being constructed by Hindustan group. According to an oral deal, he was supposed to get a certain number of shops, but soon after, the value of the shops increased and hence the builder reportedly went back on his word and gave fewer shops to the businessman.

The businessman allegedly hired a few rowdies from Kallapu, Kumble and Manjanady and threatened the owner of Hindustan Builders. Soon, the businessman too began receiving threat calls from Ullal and some rowdies from Mangalore. After four months of battling, the two parties finally reached a settlement recently.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the builder owed some money to the rowdies he had hired. On the other hand, he is also said to have received a call from abroad demanding hafta. The caller, whose identity has not been revealed, is said to be someone involved in several cases in Ullal, and now staying abroad.

Sources said that the attack on the office may have been carried out either by the rowdies to whom the builder owes money, or by accomplices of the caller who demanded hafta.