HRTC Volvo bus driver allegedly assaulted by tourists from Haryana in Shimla. The driver was seriously injured in the incident, while the police have arrested two accused and started investigation.
Shimla: There is an atmosphere of tension in the capital of Himachal Pradesh after a case of assault with an HRTC bus driver came to light. The driver alleged that the tourists pulled him out of the moving bus and attacked him following a dispute over overtaking. After the incident, the drivers union has warned of traffic jam across the state if strict action is not taken against the accused.
Controversy started after overtake
The incident took place on Saturday morning when the HRTC Volvo bus going from Delhi to Rohru reached Ghoda Chowki area of Shimla. According to bus driver Rajendra Singh, he had overtaken the tourists’ vehicle, after which the dispute escalated.
The driver alleges that some people stopped the bus, beat him up and pulled him out of the moving bus. He said that if the conductor had not applied the handbrake on time, the lives of about 40 passengers traveling in the bus could have been in danger.
Driver injured, police caught two accused
The driver suffered serious head injuries in the fight and required six stitches. As soon as the information was received, Baluganj police station reached the spot and took action and arrested two accused.
Police have registered a case against Pankaj and Vikas Kumar, residents of Panchkula, under sections of the Indian Justice Code. The search is on for two other accused involved in the incident, in which a woman is also said to be involved.
Union warned of statewide agitation
HRTC Drivers Union has expressed displeasure over the incident and demanded strict action from the government and administration. The union’s provincial president Mansingh Thakur said that if all the accused are not arrested soon, HRTC services can be stopped in the entire Himachal Pradesh.
He alleged that in recent times, incidents of tourists assaulting drivers and conductors have increased and due to the laxity of the administration, such cases are increasing.
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