HUBLI: Agriculture Minister Umesh Katti, in an inebriated state, allegedly manhandled a Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel after the latter asked him to drive away his car from the prohibited area in Hubli Railway Station late on Monday night.Katti, after participating in various programmes in Belgaum district, had been to Hubli and had entered the station through VIP Gate at about 11 pm, to board the Rani Chennamma Express to Bangalore. Informed sources said the minister arrived at the railway station and had his vehicle parked in the prohibited area in the VIP area of the station. Shivaramayya, an RPF head constable, asked the minister driver to shift the vehicle which was parked in a haphazard manner. The car driver and Katti, who was seated inside the vehicle, started arguing and showering the constable with the choicest of abuses. The minister then grabbed the constable by his shirt and tore it. Katti also quarreled with other railway officials — who were present because Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda was to board the Kurkure Express to Bangalore. Meanwhile, railway authorities who have taken exception to the minister’s behaviour, are now trying to hush up the matter. Speaking to Express, Division Security Commissioner P N Dineshan termed the incident as a minor one which was settled immediately. “The matter has been misinterpreted and blown out of proportion,” Dineshan added.He added that the minister was irritated that some other vehicle was parked at the VIP circulating area, adding that they have received no relevant complaint.
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