KARWAR (DHNS): Hundreds of people including women picketed the Post Office at Baithakhol on Tuesday, seeking return of money which the rural postman Laxman Govind Naik had spirited away.

"We deposited our hard earned money.we should not be troubled for the mistake of someone else. Return our money," they demanded.

Damodar Ambi said he had deposited RS 94,000 in savings account, now his account, has onlyRs3,000. Protesters charged that officials protected Laxman Naik. As Laxman Naik was working at Baithakhol since last 20 years, people trusted him. Several women kept passbooks at the Post Office itself.

Postal officials had toughtime to convince the protesters, while police on duty were mute spectators. A mobile phone and RS 10,000 cash found at post office were handed over to the police.