Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Feb 12: Tempers rose again at the Sastan tollgate in the taluk on Sunday February 11 as verbal friction between the toll staff and customers reached the verge of physical fight.

The toll lane was experiencing unusually heavy vehicular traffic. Former president of BJP Kota Shakti Kendra, Vittal Poojary, who was in a hurry, is said to have tried to move through the ambulance lane, at which one of the employees at the tollgate stopped him and used expletives.

Vittal Poojary was urgently going to Bannadi to attend a programme on Sunday evening. Usually, local private and tourist vehicles are allowed in this tollgate when traffic heavy, to move through the ambulance lane. In the backdrop of this experience, Vittal Poojary is said to have tried to move ahead through the ambulance lane. Abdul Rehman, who has been newly posted to this gate, stopped Vittal Poojary, following which angry words were exchanged between the two.

Abdul Rehman (L) and Vittal Poojary

Vittal Poojary and his friends then went away. Tollgate employee, Abdul Rehman, thereafter filed complaint in Kota police station, accusing Vittal Poojary of attacking l him with a helmet. Vittal Poojary too filed counter complaint.

Out of four lanes in this toll plaza, one lane has been reserved for FASTag and the oher is meant for ambulances. As such, normally only two lanes are used for toll collection. As local vehicles too need to pass through these toll lanes, it takes long to clear the queue and move ahead.

Speaking to the media lalter, Vittal Poojary clarified that he had indulged in verbal exchange with the tollgate staff, after which he said he left from there. He stressed that he had not indulged in any attacks and the fact that he was charged of assault came as surprise to him after a formal complaint was filed against him.