JOIN USRoad accident: tension prevails as people assault PSI
Holding the police responsible for a road accident, a group of people assualted rural police station PSI Gaviraj at Moogathihalli-Shiragunda on Kadur- Mangaluru National Highway.
Seven out of 20 people have been arrested after booking cases for hindering the duty of a police personnel and stirring the peace. The rest are absconding. Nataraj (34)of Aladagudde, Lakshmana Gowda (37) of Dummagere, Pushpak (25) of Chikkamagaluru, H C Shashi(30) from Anooru, M S Manu (38) of Shiragunda, Ravindra (35) of Kattegadde, M C Chetan (28) of Mattavara are the arrested.
The local people said PSI Gaviraj was coming towards the city in a vehicle belonging to complainant along with two accused in a theft incident, on Monday morning. The car was driven by the PSI. When the vehicle reached Moogatigalli, it hit the car belonging to Natraj of Aladagudde, after being out of control.
This led to a war of words between Nataraj and Gaviraj, which eventually led to physical fight. As people thronged the spot, Gaviraj took out his revolver for self protection, enraged by which the supporters of Natraj assaulted the PSI. The youth at the spot blocked the road and urged the SP to come to the spot. As a result, the traffic came to a halt from Amber Valley School to Bantara Bhavana.Meanwhile, the villagers of Shiragunda provided protection to the PSI and other police staff, by taking them to the village.
SP K Annamalai, who came to the spot, took the accused to task. He said the assault of a PSI who was on duty is an offense. The case has been dealt in a serious manner. The SP said that he himself will take up the investigation. A KSRP platoon has been deployed in Shiragunda village, as a precautionary measure.
Speaking to reporters, PSI Gaviraj said that while returning to Chikkamagaluru, the car in which PSI was travelling in collided with Nataraj’s car as Nataraj applied the brakes suddenly. Nataraj, after getting down from his car, started abusing the PSI and later assaulted him. Later, his supporters too assaulted him. He was holding his revolver for self protection, Gaviraj said.
Some of the villagers said PSI Gaviraj did not confess his mistake and slapped Nataraj. Flashing the revolver, he threatened Nataraj of dire consequences, they said. As a result, enraged people assault him. Gaviraj, who was PSI in Mudigere Police Station, was known for his good track record.