Mangaluru: A traffic violation in the city turned into high drama near Statebank circle on Friday, when a scooter rider flouted rules and later picked a quarrel with a traffic policeman. The incident, captured on video, has since gone viral across social media platforms, sparking debate over law enforcement and public behaviour.
Scooterist ignores traffic signal
Eyewitnesses reported that the traffic officer on duty had momentarily halted vehicles to allow pedestrians to cross the road safely. However, the scooterist chose to disregard the stop signal and sped past, endangering both pedestrians and motorists.
When the policeman attempted to intercept him, the rider parked his scooter some distance ahead, walked back to the officer, and began a heated argument. The quarrel drew attention from passers-by and disrupted traffic flow for a few minutes.
Video goes viral on social media
Within hours, a video of the altercation began circulating on WhatsApp, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). The clip shows the rider gesticulating angrily at the officer while bystanders watched the exchange.
The incident quickly fuelled discussions online, with many criticising the rider’s arrogance while others expressed concern over increasing disrespect towards law enforcement officers.
Police commissioner’s clarification
Reacting to the viral video, the Police Commissioner issued a statement confirming that the scooterist had violated the traffic signal. He emphasised that the officer was only carrying out his duty.
“The policeman had stopped traffic to let pedestrians cross. The scooterist not only broke the rule but also unnecessarily created a ruckus. The officer had done nothing wrong,” the Commissioner clarified.
He further highlighted the challenges faced by traffic personnel, noting that some individuals deliberately create trouble in order to attract public attention or disrupt order.
Case to be registered against rider
Officials confirmed that a case will be registered against the scooterist for traffic violation and for obstructing a public servant from performing his duty. Authorities urged citizens to respect traffic rules and cooperate with police for public safety.
Conclusion
The episode has reignited debate in Mangaluru about civic responsibility and respect for law enforcement. While the police stand firm on registering a case, the viral video continues to draw sharp reactions from the public.