News and pics: Inchara, Udupi
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, April 7: Rickshaw drivers in Padubidri gheraoed a petrol pump alleging sale of adulterated fuel in the outlet. The incident occurred on Monday evening, April 6 at Kamath petrol bunk.
Rickshaw drivers alleged that the diesel filled in the petrol bunk is adulterated and questioned the staff there. Meanwhile the staff of petrol bunk tried to assault the reporter of a newspaper.
Phiroz, an auto driver had filled diesel in his vehicle from the petrol bunk situated near Padubidri Daba on Sunday, April 5. However,as he found fault in the vehicle, he took it to a garage. When the diesel from the diesel tank was removed, it turned like water, he said. The Auto drivers who expressed anguish suspecting adulteration later gheraod the petrol bunk at about 6.30 pm on Monday evening and questioned the manager of the bunk.
Attempt to assault news reporter
The reporter of a newspaper who arrived there after getting information of the gherao was clicking photos of the bunk when a staff of bunk shouted at the reporter and tried to assault him asking why he was clicking the pictures. The staff also tried to snatch the mobile phone of the reporter.
Bunk staff also abused him in foul language saying that he has seen hundreds of reporters in the past. When the reporter protested and asked the staff to call the owner of the bunk, the staff has acted like rowdies asking the reporter to do what he liked.
There are several complaints against the Petrol bunk. The people allege that the fuels sold there are of inferior quality. The bunk had also created a scene with regard to the distribution of gas in the past acting in unpleasant manner with the people.
Several lorries are parked in a line in front of the petrol bunk,creating an hindrance to the smooth flow of traffic.
The reporter had informed the police before coming to the petrol bunk.The Police have chased the people away.
The reporters have registered a police complaint in Padubidri police station against the bunk staff that has prevented the reporters from discharging their duties by shouting at them in foul language.