Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Nov 9: A tragic accident involving a tanker and a scooter claimed the life of a woman near the Ullal Press Club on the Thokkottu-Mangaluru University road on Saturday November 9 evening. The accident led to a one-hour traffic disruption as an irate crowd blocked the road, protesting against the poor condition of the road.

The deceased has been identified as Rehmat (47), wife of Rashid, a staff member at a private hospital in Deralakatte. The couple was traveling from Deralakatte towards Thokkottu on a scooter. While trying to avoid a pothole, the scooter lost balance, and both fell onto the road. Tragically, a tanker coming from behind ran over Rehmat, killing her on the spot.

Angered by the incident, locals accused poor road conditions as the cause of the accident. The agitated crowd blocked the Thokkottu-Konaje road by placing stones, causing a complete halt in traffic. Vehicles were seen lined up in long queues, with many taking alternate routes to avoid the blockade. There was a heated exchange between the protesters and the Ullal police.

Rehmat was originally from Suratkal-Kulai but had been residing in a rented house at Deralakatte.

Rehmat's body remained on the road for more than half an hour as the 108 ambulance service failed to respond promptly, citing technical issues. This further infuriated the gathered crowd, who expressed their frustration not only over the delay in ambulance services but also against the traffic police, who, they claimed, focus on collecting fines rather than addressing the road's poor condition.

Senior officials, including DCP Dinesh Kumar, ACP Najma Farooqui from the traffic division, ACP Dhanya Nayak, and Ullal station officer Balakrishna H N, arrived at the scene and pacified the agitated crowd.