Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Jun 18: The district administration of Udupi has been managing a weigh bridge at Ottinene, the entry point into the Udupi district from Uttara Kannada, to stop overloaded ore trucks from playing havoc with the district roads. This weigh bridge was commissioned after the people and the media raised a hue and cry over the excessively loaded ore trucks damaging roads and bridges of the coastal districts.

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Byndoor unit president Subrahmanya Poojary has alleged that overloaded ore-laden trucks have been approaching Ottinene Weigh Bridge in large numbers and creating trouble for the people, roads and bridges. Because of the nexus between the weigh bridge officials and the policemen, the trucks are being allowed to carry excessive loads. If the district administration fails to take steps, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike will initiate state-wide protest, Poojary has warned.

In the meanwhile, a report said the persons manning the Ottinene weigh bridge were attacked for obstructing the onward movement of overloaded trucks. Sridhar (26), a resident of Henberu near Byndoor, has been accused of behaving arrogantly and using abusive words besides assaulting Punit (24), village account who mans the weigh bridge. Injured Punit was admitted into Shirur hospital. A case was registered in Byndoor police station.

In a complaint filed with Byndoor police station, Byndoor circle inspector Kantaraj K R has said, that a few youth, claiming themselves to be members of a pro-Kannada organization, have tried to extort money from the drivers of trucks carrying ore from near Ottinene Weigh Bridge.  Subrahmanya Yadtare, Fayaz, Sanat, Vijet, Binoy and some other youth have been accused of coming in Maruti cars to the weigh bridge site and insisting on the drivers to pay Rs 1,000 per truck, alleging that they have been carrying loads in excess of the permitted capacity.