A mishap killing two persons on the spot due to negligence of the KSRTC bus driver triggered protests in Bannur, T Narasipur taluk, Mysore district, on Monday.

Two persons who were riding a two-wheeler were killed instantly in a head-on collision between a KSRTC bus near Maleyuru gate in the town on Monday morning.

Irked over the incident, the villagers pelted stones at the KSRTC bus damaging it and staged a protest by blocking the road with wooden logs, and later set the tyres on fire.

The deceased have been identified as Mallik (27) and his uncle Nagarajamurthy (35), both hailing from Kalkuni village. Mallik and Nagarajamurthy were painters by profession and were riding towards Mysore for work, when the KSRTC bus coming from Bannur via Malavalli hit the two-wheeler, killing both on the spot. It is alleged that the negligence of the bus driver is said to be the reason behind the mishap.

Residents of the surrounding villages gathered on the spot as soon as the news of the mishap spread and staged a road block  on Mysore-Malavalli main road.

They also raised slogans against Police department for not arriving at the mishap site immediately, though the Bannur police station was nearby. They demanded suitable compensation as Mallik was the sole bread winner of the family.

Though the police tried to pacify the protesters and remove the bodies, it proved futile. KSRTC divisonal officer Veeresh arrived on the spot and assured of suitable compensation.

He also said that he would write to the higher officials urging for a job for Mallik’s wife on compassionate grounds. The protesters did not yield to his assurances and demanded that higher officials come to the spot, and continued with the protest.

Local leaders and public pacified the protesters by 3 pm, only after which they withdrew the protest.