Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (RJP)
Bantwal, Apr 20: People stopped more than 25 gas tankers, which were seen moving after 6 pm, on Tuesday, April 19 at Soorikumeru near Kalladka on national highway 75.
The action was in protest against the tension a gas tanker created in the early hours of Tuesday.
A loaded gas tanker headed to Bengaluru from MRPL Mangaluru, had tumbled by its side at around 1 am on Tuesday. The gas from the tanker started leaking resulting in evacuation of more than 50 houses in the vicinity. The traffic on the highway was completely affected for many hours. It was discovered later that the tanker was moving with high speed.
After the accident
Police team led by Bantwal town police sub inspector Nanda Kumar rushed to the spot and tried to convince the people to stop the protests. But the protestors said that as there is a rule which stops the tankers from plying on the highway after 6 pm, they should not violate the rule. They said unfortunately more tankers are seen travelling on the road at night compared to daytime.
They accused the authorities of tolerating the violation of law which has resulted in inconvenience to people.
Once the Sub inspector promised them that the tankers will not be allowed from Wednesday after 6 pm, the tankers which were stopped, were allowed to go. The protesting people warned that if tankers are allowed to move for any reason beyond the stipulated time, they will not let them pass by the area.