IDUKKI: An attempt to fill the pothole on a major road in Thodupuzha has landed Samuel V Thoppil in police custody, and intriguingly, a case has been lodged against him for allegedly causing traffic snarl-up after consuming liquor.
Samuel had tried to fill the pothole near the Gandhi Statue in Thodupuzha using his own resources on Tuesday when he was arrested by the police. However, he was later released on bail.
Talking to reporters at Idukki Press Club at Thodupuzha on Wednesday, he said that he was even roughed up by the police. Conceding the fact that he was an alcoholic, Samuel said that he had employed a driver and hence has not violated any law.
He said that he only wanted to fill the pothole in which his car had fallen the other day, following which it broke down. Samuel said that “it is the responsibility of the government to offer quality roads to the citizens, and when the government doesn’t act, we are forced to do it on our own.”
He said that the accident at Alakode near Thodupuzha, in which two persons travelling in an autorickshaw were killed after the vehicle hit a hump of earth dumped by the authorities on the road, had startled him.
He said that he had the support of his family on this matter, and his son, who was studying in school, was even willing to join him in filling the pothole on Tuesday.
He appealed to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Home Minister ramesh Chennithala and the Public Works Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju to absolve him in the case and ensure that the roads in the state were made pothole-free.