Irate villagers damage toll booths on Bengaluru outskirts

A number of toll booths at Hoskote, about 25 km from here, were damaged and one of them set ablaze by irate villagers today after a local was allegedly assaulted by employees following an argument over paying the toll fee.

"Villagers near Hoskote pelted stones on a number of booths, damaging them and set fire to one of them, after a local was assaulted by toll plaza employees," Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police B Ramesh told PTI here.

He said police used mild force to disperse them and that the situation has now been brought under control.

Ramesh said none has been arrested so far, but added that they are scrutinising CCTV footage to zero in on the culprits.

An argument broke out between the man and toll plaza workers after he refused to
pay the toll, claiming he has a free family pass, but he did not carry it with him, Ramesh said.

The man then slapped one of the employees, which led to them assaulting him.The villager, with severe injuries on his forearms, was being treated at a private hospital, Ramesh said.