Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Jun 2: Traffic on the road leading to Moodbidri from the town was blocked after a truck carrying timber was hit by a Mahindra Scorpio vehicle on Rayi Koila Road. In addition, tension prevailed after checks gave clues that the Scorpio was used to transport cattle.

Driver of the truck, Nayaz Ahmed from Kadlemakki in Balehonnur and cleaner, Hasainar, escaped with minor injuries. They were transporting timber to a saw mill in Mangaluru from Koppa in Chikkamagaluru district, when a Scorpio vehicle moving towards Moodbidri from Jokatte in Mangaluru hit the truck.

The front portion of the Scorpio vehicle got smashed, and front tyre exploded. Although three persons including the driver of the Scorpio had suffered serious injuries to their heads, they ran away from the spot. The locals provided support for the truck, one of the tyres of which also had burst, and which was leaning to one side as there were fears of the truck falling to the road.

As the accident created problem for traffic, rural station assistant sub-inspector, M K Kutty, traffic policeman, Monappa, and others visited the spot and moved the Scorpio aside, before shifting it to police station with the help of a crane. A picture of Goddess was found to have been hoisted on the front portion of the vehicle, and all the seats inside were found to have been removed. Tarpaulin, ropes, swords, dung and some other items were found from inside the vehicle, giving an indication that the vehicle was returning after illegally transporting cattle to a slaughterhouse in Mangaluru, policemen said.

A case stands registered in the rural police station here relating to the incident.