News and pics: Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Jun 9: A stranger who had hired an auto from Mangaluru to Ullal was joined by three more people who together threatened to kill the auto driver in front of Anandashrama school at Someshwara police station limits late on the night of Wednesday June 8. The auto driver escaped with great difficulty from the foursome.

Bajal Kallakatte resident Lathif was the person who had been threatened. A stranger who had come to Mangaluru railway station rickshaw park on the evening of June 8 had hired his auto saying that he wanted to go to Thokkottu.  As they neared Thokkottu, Lathif was told that there were two more friends to be picked up and he took all of them to Dolly Bar, Thokkottu. As they reached the place, another stranger carrying liquor bottles boarded the auto. The four passengers ordered the auto to proceed to Someshwar and ordered the driver to stop in front of Anandashrama school, Someshwar.

Lathif then grew suspicious and told them that he wanted to leave and demanded the auto fare. The four passengers at that juncture threatened the driver saying that he did not know how many people had been killed by them and they threatened to kill him. The miscreants did not allow Lathif to leave even after he said that he would go back without the fare.

Driver Lathif telephoned his relative Siraj at Ullal but could not tell him the name of the place where he was held up. Siraj then went to Ullal police station and registered a complaint. Ullal station police inspector telephoned Lathif but he did not respond. The police then searched for him. Lathif arrived at the Ullal police station by his auto.  He said that he pushed the four who were inebriated down and escaped.  Ullal police have registered a case and are searching for the strangers.