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