Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Jan 20: In a disturbing incident in the city, an altercation between personnel from two private bus companies escalated into violence, resulting in a stabbing. The clash occurred on January 19 and has led to both parties filing complaints at the city police station.

According to one complaint, Santhosh Kumar, who had come to Udupi for work, encountered Shishir Palan, a spare driver, while returning home. As they were riding a two-wheeler towards home around 11:15 pm, they were ambushed by a familiar individual named Sudeep near Bannanje. Three others, identified as Buran, Sharukh, and Tanveer, suddenly disembarked from an auto-rickshaw and assaulted Santhosh and Shishir. Sudeep intentionally stabbed Shishir in the back, while Buran attacked Santhosh with a beer bottle. The incident is believed to be a continuation of a verbal altercation between personnel from TMT and JMT buses on January 17, related to Paryaya.

In a counter complaint filed by Mohammed Burhan, he stated that around 11 pm on January 19, an auto-rickshaw carrying him, Satish, and Sudeep was ambushed by individuals on bikes. The attackers physically assaulted Sudeep, with Vikhyat hitting Burhan and Santhu simultaneously kicking him. Shishir allegedly threatened to kill Burhan and stabbed him in the back with a knife, while another accused, Ganesh, attempted to injure Burhan with a broken beer bottle.

It is learnt that disputes have taken place between personnel from both bus companies over timing issues, with multiple cases previously filed at police stations.