Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Jun 1: After passengers and drivers of two buses and two cars got involved with street brawl and stone pelting on the issue of allowing other vehicles to pass at the fourth bend on Charmadi Ghat Road, the traffic was thrown out of gear. Traffic block, which has been a regular affair at the Ghat section of late, affected movement of vehicles for about three hours on the evening of Sunday May 31 as a result.

Umesh (30), Arvin Shetty (25), Sandesh (24) and Lokesh (28), who were travelling in a car, were assaulted in this incident. All of them were admitted into a private hospital at Ujire for treatment.

Friction initially arose between two private buses and a car at the fourth bend on Charmadi Ghat Road on the issue of allowing the other vehicle to move. As the people in the car remained adamant on their decision of not giving other vehicles the right of way, staff and passengers of the private buses attacked those in the car, it is said. Those who were at the receiving end of this attack immediately called their friends from Ujire. A group of angry youth then came in a car and pelted stones at both the buses, shattering their front glasses. The buses were thereafter stopped at the check post at Charmadi.

The entire Charmadi Ghat Road experienced traffic block as a result of this incident. Beltangady police, who learnt about the incident, went to the spot and paved way for the movement of vehicles. The police said that there were bare minimum policemen at the station as most of the staff have been deputed to other districts on election duty.