In a freak incident, two auto drivers tried to commit suicide when the auto drivers were staging a protest urging the authorities concerned to arrest the culprits who assaulted one of them.

It all happened when the auto drivers were staging a protest to urge the authorities concerned to arrest prime accused Ravindra Mogaveera, Sheku alias Shekar and Annu after the trio allegedly assaulted auto driver Purandar two days ago. In fact, the auto drivers had called for Katapady bundh and it was partially successful.
During the protest meet, auto drivers Purandar was addressing the protesters when all of a sudden he and another auto driver Sunil Bangera consumed poison.

Though the people gathered there were taken aback by the sudden move of the duo, both were immediately rushed to Udupi hospital. Later, they were shifted to KMC in Manipal. The condition of Purandar is said to be critical.

The police had arrested the trio two days ago but were released later without taking any action. This irked the auto drivers and later they called for a Katapady bundh.