No inter-State issue in road accident involving Karnataka van, say police

The Theni District police have clarified that a video clip pertaining to an “accident” involving a Karnataka-registered van and a truck is being circulated on social media with an “unwarranted divisive narrative”.

The attempt to portray the isolated incident as an inter-State problem was factually incorrect and misleading, said Theni Superintendent of Police (SP) B. Sneha Priya, in her communication to the SP of Chamrajnagar in Karnataka.

One person has been arrested in connection with the “minor” road accident that occurred on January 12, in which no casualties were reported. “The damage was limited to a minor breakage of the rear light of the van,” the letter said, adding that the local police had attended to the incident immediately.

Talking to reporters here on Sunday, Inspector-General of Police, South Zone, Vijayendra Bidari, said a brief verbal altercation had ensued between the drivers of the two vehicles. “Meanwhile, the passengers of the van also got into a heated argument, mainly due to language barrier,” he said.

The police intervened promptly and defused the situation, after which both parties dispersed without any further incidents. “The police made the lorry driver pay ₹1,000 to the van operator from Karnataka as compensation for minor damages to resolve the issue amicably on the spot,” Ms. Priya said.

Since neither party filed a formal complaint, the Allinagaram police, on their own initiative, registered a case and arrested one person on charge of breaching public peace.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka police were trying to trace the persons who had posted the “misleading” social media post, he added. The Theni SP was inquiring into the role and conduct of the police personnel present at the scene of the accident.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Dindigul Range) P. Saminathan and Ms. Priya were also present.