Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 26: A quarrel between the driver of a private bus and conductor of another private bus was threatening to blow out of proportions and a friction was about to happen between groups of people when the issue was settled amicably. The incident happened at Ganjimath in the outskirts of the city on the night of Monday December 25.

As huge crowds gathered and sensing that the situation might go out of hand, police personnel caned the crowd to disperse the people.

Verbal altercation had arisen between staff of a bus that was coming to the city from Malali and of another bus coming to the city from Moodbidri over the issue of timing. It is said that driver of one of the buses proceeded after hitting the rear view mirror of the other bus. This incident triggered another round of exchange of abuses. Passengers intervened and the situation eased.

Later, some other Ayyappa disciples, who came to know that one of their members had been subjected to abusive words, staged protest by intercepting the bus that was returning to Moodbidri from the city at 8.30 pm. They sought apology from the driver for using derisive words against the conductor concerned, failing which they said they would not allow the bus to move ahead. The driver justified his action and did not come forward to tender an apology.

People gathered at the spot. Sensing that the situation is worsening, police personnel from Bajpe went to the spot and dispersed the crowd by wielding their batons. During this period, a few including a boy who happened to be Ayyappa disciple, were hurt. This angered the Ayyappa disciples who had gathered there.

Thereafter, police personnel and some locals brokered peace by facilitating discussions between the two warring sides, and the issue was closed.