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VASCO
At a time of high fuel prices, a video by a group of youth accusing Karma Auto Park, a petrol pump at Chicalim, of dispensing less fuel as compared to the money charged went viral on social media and caused confusion in parts of the port town on Tuesday night.
The matter was settled when the youth clarified the matter and apologised to the owner of Karma Auto Park and former Mormugao MLA Karl Vaz.
According to reports, the incident took place when the youth had gone to the petrol pump on Tuesday afternoon and paid Rs 100 for petrol.
After the petrol was dispensed, the youth left the pump but later returned and claimed that the gauge of the fuel tank had not moved and began arguing with a woman employee on duty. The pump manager intervened and tried to explain to the youth.
The pump staff said a few more friends arrived at the site and began abusing the employee and also began shooting a video as one youth put a small pipe in the tank of the bike, removed the fuel from the bike and put it in a bottle.
“The group claimed that we had dispensed less petrol as compared to the money paid and threatened to load the video on social media. The manager explained that the entire quantity of petrol in the tank cannot be extracted. The matter was resolved and the youth left after the clarification. But we were shocked to see a video going viral on social media,” said a staff.
On receiving the video clip, many began questioning the intentions of the petrol pump and shared the video, with messages demanding a boycott of the petrol pump and stringent action against those guilty.
Shocked over the video clip, Vaz had initially decided to take legal action against the group for defaming his petrol pump.
However, the youth responsible for the video clip later went to the petrol pump on Wednesday morning and clarified that the petrol pump was genuine, adding that the misunderstanding had been clarified on Tuesday itself.
They claimed to have been shocked as well to see the video viral on social media and insisted they were not aware who had forwarded it. The youth also apologised to Vaz, who forgave the youth and did not pursue the legal action as it could affect their careers. He, however, cautioned them not to share misleading information on social media. The youth also assured to recirculate another video with an instant clarification on the dispensing of fuel at the petrol pump.
A youth, Akash Naik, said the matter had been resolved on Tuesday itself and added that they were unaware how the video reached the wrong hands.
“We are extremely sorry and we want to say that video is misleading and this pump is not into any short fuelling. We request people not to believe the video,” Naik told reporters.
Youth use social media for publicity without knowing effects: Vaz
VASCO: Owner of Karma Auto Park and former Mormugao MLA Karl Vaz on Wednesday morning said youth have begun taking to social media for publicity without realising the consequences of a misleading video.
“All machines are automated and there was no scope that short fuelling could be possible. Every individual has the right to verify the fuel and a 5-litre can is always available at the pump for any instant verification,” said Vaz.
“Every person should observe the readings on the machine while fuel is being dispensed. This mischief on social media has tarnished our pump. We are doing honest business and CCTV cameras are also available 24 hours and anyone can randomly verify the facts,” said Vaz.
