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  •   Mon, Jul 30 2007 05:39:36 PM

Kundapur: Ore Truck Drivers Go on Rampage, Torch Weigh-bridge at Ottinene

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (RD/MB)
Pics Vinay Pais

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Kundapur, Jul 30: The tense situation prevailed in the periphery of Ottinene on Monday Jul 30 morning, after ore-laden truck drivers went on rampage by torching a weigh-bridge on Sunday, which forced the police to resort to caning.

They were protesting against the deputy commissioner's order restricting movement of heavy trucks in the district. They complained that thousands of trucks have been struck all over the route and the drivers had neither food nor water for over two days.

More than 300 truck drivers have been arrested in this regard. while 71 were shifted to Mangalore sub jail, 41 were shifted to Belgaum .  The rest of the truck drivers were locked up in a makeshift confinement centre in Byndoor Higher Primary School.  The cases are being registered under sec 143, 148 and 324 without bail for damaging  property.  State transport minister Cheluvarayaswamy is likely to visit the spot on Monday Jul 30.
 
The situation seems to be under control at Ottinene, but like cinders still smouldering. Truck drivers from Hubli reportedly indulged in the rampage.

The office-bearers of Hubli Truck Owners Association are likely to arrive in Ottinene on Monday Jul 30.  They were disturbed over the arrest of the truck drivers who are in no way related to the incidents.  They have alleged that their truck drivers were imprisoned in order to settle old score, instead of taking action against the real culprits, who seemed to have gone scotfree.  

Widespread anguish has been expressed over the actions of Udupi deputy commissioner Ponnuraj.  Despite the incidents having  taken place on Sunday July 29 at 11-00 am, he reportedly visited the spot only at 9-00 pm, said the drivers'  representatives. 

The truck drivers and cleaners have completely destroyed the weigh-bridge located at Ottinene in Byndoor  besides the computers, while the traffic of ore laden trucks was stalled till the operation of weigh-bridge was restored, stated deputy commissioner Ponnuraj.

The truck drivers are distressed since the traffic of ore laden trucks was stalled, as a result of the official order. Several traffic bottlenecks seems to have been prevailing on National Highway. Over 2000 trucks are estimated to have been stranded in the queue. The number may have touched 3000 by Monday Jul 30 morning, said sources.  The trucks remained stranded as the drivers have been put behind bars. 

Kundapur Tahsildar Arun Prabha, DySP Rajaram, CDIB inspector C E Timmaiah, B P Dinesh Kumar, Byndoor SI Cheluvaraju, Gangolli SI B M Timmaraju, Kundapur SI Jayanthand many other senior police officers are camping at the site.

Heavy security:  Security has been beefed up while companies of  BSRP and Special Task Force have been deployed at the site, an apprehension of retaliatory attack from other truck drivers who have absconded.

SI Ramesh Kumar and his team along with finger print experts have expressed their confidence in arresting the culprits at the earliest.
  

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Comment on this article

  • R. L. Menezes, Bajpe

    Thu, Aug 02 2007

    I am sorry for not being part of the agitatation in burning the weigh bridge. I have seen and experienced the bitter taste of spending precious time of life in waiting long queues in check points crossing river on the barge etc.

    The concerned authority should know that drivers and cleaners are also human beings and have their responsibilities. Before punishing drivers and cleaners try to spend a day with them in their plight.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Purushottama, Byndoor

    Tue, Jul 31 2007

    It appears to be pre planned venture by Truckers. They knew that there was restriction on entry and also that the Weigh Bridge was under repair and about 200 trcuks were waiting. Then where was the need to send another 1000 trucks. They wanted the lorry drivers to suffer and revolt so that the District Administration could be shown in bad light.

    The truckers are always thinking they are above the law. When the Government wants to impose Service Tax, when the Insurance premium were sought to be raised because Truckers were misusing the insurance through false claims, when the Speed Governors issue came - every time they have defied every logic and put forth strange arguments .

    The Police and the District Administration deserve all appreciation for taking neccessary steps. These truckers have made a hell of road traffic of both districts. Their claim is that they are paying Rs.17/ per ton as taxes is only to the legal part of the ore and not to illegal weight which is always off the record.

    The social cost of their operations like bad roads , accidents etc. are far more than what they pay back to Society. What they are doing is to use the poor employees as their shield and crying hoarse about humanitarian issues involved.

    Where were these people when their Trucks caused irreparable damage to the Roads, bridges and also deaths due to accidents in the twin districts???

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Shiva, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 31 2007

    Try to understand the frustration of these cleaners & Drivers. The people who are actually making money and the best of the situation are nowhere in the picture.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Sadananda Acharya, Brahmavar/Japan

    Tue, Jul 31 2007

    Udupi and DK are known for peaceful disciplined life. Anyone who disturbs it should be punished severely. The Truck drivers heinous act of distroying public property should not be taken lightly. Most of the accidents in NH-17 are caused due to the reckless driving of these ore ladden trucks.

    Moreover, they have been responsible for the present condition of our roads. No one should be left free who disturbs the peaceful life of our coastal land and destroys public property. I think at this juncture, public should raise their voice against the act of these miscreants.

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  • ashok pai, bangalore

    Tue, Jul 31 2007

    Punish the truck drivers and thier association. they create the trouble with over laden trucks. if they create trouble with the bridges, punish with the strictest punishment possible. thus the political bosses will understand that you cant loot the ore, which is the national asset on the sly.

    I cannot fathom the fact that we have already exported abt 50,000 crores worth of ore to china and other places, when we could have fully utilised it ourselves. who's making the money ? does the government get the money or private companies ? if its national property, why cant it be a government undertaking, and pay private companies for charges of transport and digging the ore ?

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse


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