Brahmarakootlu Toll Staff Accused of Fatal Assault on Youth
Bantwal: The toll plaza at Brahmarakootlu often gets into headlines. There is already a public grouse that much before the completion of the work on the Mangaluru-BC Road four-laning, the highway authority had tendered the levying of the toll to a private contractor.
Laying of a service road along the path has been a long-standing requirement which has not been taken up. Allegations of high-handed and uncivilized behaviour on the part of the staff have been flying around for long. Two years ago, the public had ransacked the toll plaza in protest against their behaviour.
Many locals have recalled that cases have been filed against the staff but they had continued to serve there nevertheless.
On Saturday around noon, Rafiq (30) from Kalladka, who works as a salesman, was passing the plaza towards Mangaluru. According to the toll staff, Rafiq waved a toll ticket bought on the previous day from inside the car and tried to drive away. Rafiq says they tried to stop him by hitting his car with steel rods.
He stopped the car and came out to question them for doing so. In response, the toll staff reportedly assaulted him with the rods.
An acquaintance got him admitted to a hospital. A complaint against five toll staff, Kashinath, Santosh, Shiva and two others has been filed at the Bantwal police station.
(File pic for illustrative purpose only)