Daijiworld Media Network–Puttur

Puttur, Aug 21: A dispute over a document that was reportedly damaged due to a technical fault at a digital service centre in Puttur’s Darbe area escalated into a physical altercation between two groups on Friday, with police registering complaints and initiating action over the alleged obstruction of their duty.

According to police, on the afternoon of Friday, August 21, Mandekolu residents of Sullia taluk — Mubashir, Fathima and Mubashir — visited the Dream Destination Digital Seva Kendra, owned by Anjana Pai, at Darbe in Puttur.

The trio had gone to the centre to have several documents photocopied and laminated. However, one of the documents was reportedly damaged after a technical fault during the process.

The incident sparked a verbal altercation between Mubashir, Fathima and Mubashir on one side and shop owner Anjana Pai and her son Sudarshan Pai on the other. The argument soon escalated into a physical altercation, with both sides allegedly assaulting each other.

As the confrontation unfolded, a crowd gathered at the shop. Puttur Town police rushed to the spot, gathered information about the incident and directed both parties to come to the police station and lodge complaints.

However, when police attempted to take Sudarshan Pai to the station for questioning, some of the people gathered at the spot allegedly obstructed the police.

Police said a complaint and a counter-complaint are being registered in connection with the incident. A separate complaint is also being registered over the alleged obstruction of police personnel in the discharge of their duties.

Police said the complete details of the cases will be provided after they are formally registered.

A CCTV camera is installed at the shop where the incident occurred. Police said the footage would be examined and further legal action taken based on its findings.

Police have also issued a warning against spreading false rumours about the incident, stating that appropriate legal action will be taken against anyone found circulating misinformation.