Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 18: The police personnel from Banakal station in Chikkamagaluru district came here on Friday April 17 and took into possession the official vehicle of Mangaluru taluk panchayat bearing registration No. KA 19 G 0986 after a hue and cry was raised in social media about the vehicle's alleged misuse to ferry passengers to Chikkamagaluru district in violation of lockdown rules.

The vehicle was reportedly used on Charmadi ghat road to drop some passengers at Banakal. Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat chief executive officer Selvamani R, has served show cause notice on the taluk panchayat president asking him to file his response. The officer said that he has received report about the vehicle having been used to ferry passengers, and added that he has sought reply from the taluk panchayat president within three days. "Action will be taken based on the response." he added.

The said Bolero vehicle which was displaying the board that it was meant for use of Mangaluru taluk panchayat president, had taken some people to Banakal via Charmadi check post. The incident had drawn lot of flak in social sites where pictures of the vehicle were posted. Many had wondered how people’s representatives who are expected to can advise the people on these issues, themselves violate the rules.

On Thursday, Mudigere taluk panchayat executive officer Venkatesh, Banakal police sub-inspector Srinath Reddy, Banakal gram panchayat president Sathish and panchayat development officer Krishnappa, visited the house where the vehicle had reportedly dropped off the passengers, and collected information.

Thereafter, Banakal police arrived in the city on Friday and took away the said vehicle.