BENGALURU: Timely intervention by local residents saved the lives of two traffic policemen who were being attacked by four drunk youngsters near Iblur on Saturday night. The locals caught the four attackers and handed them over to the police.
The injured policemen, Sub-Inspector Rajanna and Head Constable Nanjegowda, attached to the HSR Layout traffic police station, were conducting a drunk drive check near Sarjapur station junction near Iblur when they were attacked around 11.40 pm. While Rajanna was beaten up in the leg, Nanjegowda sustained injuries in his ear and head.
The arrested have been identified as Rakesh, Arun Kumar, Santosh and Harish, all residents of Kamannahalli, who are said to be in their late twenties. They were going in their Duster SUV when Nanjegowda stopped them and asked the driver Santosh to blow into the breathalyser. But Santosh refused and started arguing with Nanjegowda. Rajanna, who was some distance away, asked Santosh to move the vehicle to the roadside and to get down. An enraged Santosh and his friends got down from the vehicle and started beating up the two policemen.
“They dragged the two police officers on the road and threw punches and kicks on their head, face and stomach. At the same time, a lorry was coming from the opposite direction and the local residents rushed to the rescue of the policemen and pulled them to safety. The locals also caught hold of the four attackers. Rajanna radioed his counterparts who rushed to the spot and arrested the four men,” a police officer said.
When Deccan Chronicle tried to get in touch with Mr Nanjegowda, his wife Gayathramma received the call and said, “My husband's ear has been severely injured in the attack. We have admitted him to a hospital. The doctors have advised him complete rest. He cannot speak now.” SI Rajanna too is said to be out of danger.
