Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal
Bhatkal, Oct 19: An argument between the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) and passenger delayed Hazrat Nizamuddin Mangala Express on Tuesday night of October 18 by few hours. The train was stopped in Udupi and Bhatkal stations by passengers and their supporters effectively delaying the train by more than two hours.
The passengers also lodged complaint against the TTE for misbehaviour.
As per details, a family of six people comprising three ladies, two children and one man were on their way to Bhatkal from Mangaluru by train. The family members without reservation tickets were seated in the sleeper compartment. When the TTE arrived, he came to know that they did not have tickets. He allegedly asked them to pay up a bribe of Rs 500 to continue sitting where they were, and they refused.
At the moment, the two ladies and children were asleep. The TTE began shouting, asking them to get out even as the train was in motion. He allegedly pushed one of the ladies. People in the train saw the incident and were upset over the behaviour of the supposedly intoxicated TTE, Thimmappa Gowda wearing badge no. 2946.
When the train halted in Udupi, people got down in protest over the alleged lewd behaviour of the TTE. The train stopped for nearly an hour at the Udupi station. Udupi RPF constable Pramod was present and took statements from different passengers regarding the incident. A case stands registered there.
After knowing about the incident through phone, a large number of people in Bhatkal came to the railway station and waited for the train to arrive. The Bhatkal police personnel who were made aware of the incident also rushed to the railway station.
Angry about the incident, locals demanded immediate arrest and strict action against the TTE. The local police and RPF tried to control the situation. The RPF inspector, Udupi, Shivaram G Rathod, who was present on the spot, assured the people that action will be taken against the particular TTE. A written complaint from the family members was also received.
The train which had reached Bhatkal at 11 pm could only leave at 12 am. Bhatkal CPI Suresh Naik, PSI Kunukunti, and others police officers were present.