Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)
Bantwal, May 14: People who were chasing a vehicle that came in from the direction of Kerala in another vehicle, fought with the people in the said vehicle which had been stopped at Saradka check post. It is said that the people who were chasing the vehicle ahead of them suspected that a girl had been abducted by the people in that vehicle. The situation turned tense because of friction between these groups on the night of Monday, May 13.
Vittal police resorted to light caning to control the situation. During the melee, a probationary sub-inspector was injured.
There were rumours since Monday morning about a girl from Kalathur in Kerala having been kidnapped. Reportedly, a college girl from Kalathur was kidnapped on May 13 from her home. The family had informed Kumble police over phone that a gang which came in a Bolero and Swift vehicles had forcibly taken the girl away from her home. In this backdrop, some people were waiting at the Kerala border. Some among them noticed that a Bolero vehicle which arrived from the direction of Perla in Kasargod was speeding towards Vittal during late evening hours. It is said that they guessed the vehicle to belong to the abductors and therefore tried to stop the vehicle.
The Bolero driver ignored the signals and tried to move ahead, even at the risk of brushing some other vehicles. This strengthened the suspicion of the people further, and several people chased the Bolero in their vehicles. It is said that they also conveyed information to some youngsters from Adyanadka, asking them to block the Bolero's path.
The vehicle came to a stop at Saradka check post. Those who chased the vehicle reportedly moved menacingly towards the people in the Bolero instead of talking to them and clarifying the matter. They also showed the inclination to overturn the Bolero. When the police who had come on the scene began to wield their batons, several ran away, leaving their vehicles at the spot. A few two-wheelers were pushed into the storm drain. About five two-wheelers were taken into possession by the police in order to properly gather information on the circumstances leading to this clash.
Bantwal circle inspector, Sharana Gowda, led the operation. A team of policemen led by probationary sub-inspectors of Vittal, Keerti Kumar, and Rajesh, camped at the spot and eased the situation. A team of police personnel from Badiadka also came there and gathered information. It is said that the abducted girl has since been traced in Kerala, and the Bolero vehicle which was the bone of contention, had come on this road after losing way.
It is said that another vehicle connected with the incident came through Puthige and Permude and reached Bandyodu. As this vehicle brushed against a number of vehicles on the way, people had chased it, stopped it near Uppala, and damaged the vehicle, it is reported. Reportedly, the police resorted to caning in Aila area. As messages were also sent on this incident through social websites, the incident has got wide publicity on the net.