Youths forced down on kneels after brawl over coins

Balasore: After heated altercation over payment in coins, three youths were beaten up and forced down on knees for hours allegedly by some staff of Uttareswar Petrol Pump in Soro block of Balasore district.

Th three youths in two motorbikes were travelling to Balasore from Markona area when they picked up a quarrel with the petrol pump staff who handed over them Rs 5 coins, sources said.

As the coins were in Rs 2 and Re 1 denominations, the youths insisted on Rs 5 coin. Following the altercation, the youths allegedly attacked the petrol pump staff. Later other staff thrashed the trio and made them to kneel down.

On getting information, Soro police rushed to the spot and rescued the detained youths. Meanwhile, police is examining the CCTV footage of the petrol pump and interrogating the three youths.

“My uncle handed over a 100 rupee note for filling petrol worth Rs 95. The employee returned the balance money in denominations of Rs 2 and Re 1 coins. On refusal to accept Re 1 coin, a verbal duel ensued and we were made to kneel down,” alleged one of the youths.

“The youths insisted on Rs 5 coin and were not ready to accept Re 1 coin. Then they attacked us," said an employee of the filling station.