Miscreants assault SI, ASI at Belekeri

Karwar, May 29: A Sub-Inspector of Police and Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police were assaulted by a group of miscreant in Belekeri on Monday following a dispute over cutting of tree branches. Vice-president of gram panchayat and 15 others are accused of attacking the police officers

According to K.T. Balakrishna, Superintendent of Police, Uttara Kannada, some equipment belonging to Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) were being unloaded at Belekeri port. The RTPS, which was a government undertaking, had sought the required permission from the different departments to shift the equipment from Belekeri to Raichur. As the imported equipment were very heavy and large special types of trolleys and trucks were required to shift them, the RTPS authorities had written to the police to provide them security. The Ankola police had gone to Belekeri to ensure easy movement of the trucks and the trolleys, Mr. Balakrishna said.

The road was narrow and the branches of the trees had to be cut to facilitate movement of the equipment. But Chandrakanth Naik, vice-president of Belekeri Gram Panchayat, objected to this and picked up a fight with the workers clearing the road. When police intervened, there was argument between Mr. Chandrakanth and the police. Mr. Chandrakanth and 15 others allegedly assaulted the PSI and ASI . They allegedly tore the uniform of the officers, who were rushed to the hospital. Mr. Chandrakanth and the other accused were reported to be absconding, Mr. Balakrishna said.

A lineman belonging to KPTCL who was clearing the branches of the tress to allow passing the lorry transporting the equipment of the RTPS was also assaulted by some miscreants.

Uday Gaonkar, the lineman of KPTCL, in his complaint with the Ankola police station, has named Mahesh Ganapati Naik and Vivek Omkumar Pantha of Hattikeri village as the assailants.