Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (RJP)

Mangaluru, Apr 14: Tollgate staff allegedly assaulted a youth for questioning them regarding an assault on an old man at the tollgate.

The incident took place at Talapady tollgate on Thursday, April 13.

Abdul Hamid Sarafat (25) from Kandak in city is the injured person. The injuries are said to be of serious nature.

As per details of the case, Sarafat was driving from Mangaluru to Kasargod in his car. He reached the tollgate at around 2.30 pm. He saw an old man being abused and assaulted at the tollgate by a driver. Sarafat said that the old man should not be treated like that and if he is wrong in any way, police should be called. At that time around 20 staff of tollgate came together and rounded up Sarafat. Then they allegedly assaulted him targeting his cheeks, back and chest using their hands and feet.

An unidentified person took Sarafat to a hospital in Ullal and admitted him there for treatment. Sarafat has complained to Ullal police regarding the incident and said all the persons who assaulted him were wearing badges, being the staff of tollgate.

Police have started the investigations based on CCTV footages from cameras installed at the tollgate.

Recently a car owner was given a fake receipt by the tollgate staff which had attracted wide publicity.

Saif Sultan from Hope Foundation, uncle of Abdul Hamid Sarafat, has alleged that while tollgates elsewhere have police security, tollgates of Dakshina Kannada have no police presence at all. “This has resulted in the staff collecting more money from innocent travellers who travel to Mangaluru airport from Kerala. They are even asked to pay extra money for the bags they carry in their cars. Concerned departments should act immediately regarding this. Rowdy behaviour of young staff at tollgates should be stopped.” he said.