Team Mangalorean - Puttur
from Vishal Nekkilady

Puttur: The taluk has been considered a communally sensitive area for many years. The keepers of law and order have observed that during fights and disturbances in the recent past, the most convenient weapons have been empty soft drink bottles.

The common tendency among the trouble-makers has been to go for the bottles which are normally found aplenty outside shops. They are either broken in the middle thus converting them into sharp weapons or to fill with petrol or kerosene to create makeshift Molotov cocktails. The consequences are deadly and disastrous.

Now, in particular after the last week's disturbances in Kalladka where empty bottles were liberally used,  the town police have woken up to the potential of the empty soda and juice bottles lying around. They have decided to issue notices to shopkeepers barring them from keeping empty bottles during day or night. Any violation will invite a fine.

The precaution is being taken because even in Puttur and around, bottles were used during disturbances. Henceforth, the shops within the town limits will not be allowed to leave any bottles outside, round the clock.

Town police inspector M Sudarshan said that a meeting of soft drink vendors and shopkeepers would be convened soon and awareness and instructions would be imparted. After seeking senior officers' opinions and guidance, the rule will be introduced in town limits, he added.