Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Dec 17: The residents of Eliyarpadavu in Konaje police station limits on Wednesday December 17 blocked eleven sand-laden trucks, after one of the trucks hit a bike and injured the rider.

The people alleged that the trucks ply on the narrow roads causing a series of accidents.

The sand-laden trucks used to ply from Harekala jetty to Konaje earlier. However, as this road is being concreted for the last one month, trucks ply via Baithar, Debbeli and Eliarpadavu to Konaje now.

As the one-way road is filled with several potholes, it is difficult to drive other vehicles here. Besides, as sand laden trucks ply on the road, accidents occur here frequently, said the locals.

Four bikes, a school vehicle and a car have met with accidents here during the last three days.

People from Oddedaguru, Aikukoppala and Eliarpadavu blocked the sand laden trucks and protested. A police complaint was lodged through Harekala panchayat. Konaje police circle inspector Raghava Padil who rushed to the place, informed the matter to the local tahsildar. The tahsildar came to the place and seized the eleven trucks after conducting inspection.

Meanwhile, the owner of the trucks alleged that the protesters blocked the eleven trucks belonging to only him, though several other trucks ply here. A group reportedly had demanded Rs 200 per truck to allow it to ply through this route, he claimed. It is alleged that the group protested along with people as the amount was not paid.