Newskarnataka-Belthangady
Belthangady: A road accident involving a bike and a Bolero car claimed the life of a youth at Nekkilu near Belthangady on morning hours.
This incident sparked protests by the public who were outraged over the apathy of the car driver who fled the scene instead of rushing the critically injured bike rider to the hospital.
The deceased is Dinesh Gowda (23), son of Babi Gowda of Kangittilu in Koyyur. Mishap took place when Dinesh, a mason was on way to Nala for work. The car driven by Balakrishna Poojari knocked down the bike rider who was critically injured and died on the spot.
Hundreds of people gathered to protest and stoned the Bolero vehicle. They refused to allow police to take the body in an ambulance unless the Bolero driver and higher police officers arrived.
When an ambulance arrived, they pelted stones at it and police had to resort to lathi charge to quell the crowd. Additional police from Dharmasthala, Uppinangady, Venur and Belthangady rushed to the spot.
Even Belthangady MLA Vasanth Bangera and Prajaprabhutva Vedike President Mahesh Shetty Timarody arrived and tried to cool down the agitators.
The body was finally shifted to Wenlock Hospital in Mangalore. Moreover, Dinesh, who died, was the only surviving son of Babi who’s another son had drowned two years ago.
It is learnt; Balakrishna Poojari who is now blamed for the mishap worked in the Agriculture Department in Belthangady.