JOIN US Two office-bearers of the District Lorry Owners’ and Drivers’ Association were allegedly assaulted by members of the sand mafia on the outskirts of the town late on Friday night.
According to police, the members of the association intercepted the lorries which were allegedly transporting sand illegally. The men transporting the sand assaulted the office-bearers and damaged the car of the association president.
Association president Peerapashya Gachchimahal said that when the office-bearers chased the lorries and blocked their way near a petrol bunk, the suspects attacked them.
He told Deccan Herald that the suspects shot twice at them and escaped in five sand-laden tippers and four SUVs (Scorpio). But the bullets did not hit anyone.
Gachchimahal said that even though they immediately contacted the police control room, there was no response. So, they brought the matter to the notice of D Prakash, the district Superintendent of Police (SP).
The Adarsh Nagar police came to the spot one and a half hours late, he said.
However, the SP said that the office-bearers themselves had pelted their lorry with stones and damaged it. He said that he had ordered the arrest of the lorry driver who is absconding.