HRTC Bus Attacked in Kharar, Punjab: Glasses Shattered, Passengers Panic

Chandigarh, March 18: A shocking incident of vandalism and attack on a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus has been reported from Kharar, Punjab, raising concerns over the safety of passengers traveling between states. The attack occurred early in the morning when a bus traveling from Chandigarh to Hamirpur was abruptly targeted by unknown individuals. While no one was injured during the incident, the attack left the bus with shattered windows and created panic among the passengers on board.

The bus, operated by the Hamirpur depot of HRTC, was on its regular route, leaving Chandigarh around 6:15 am. According to the bus conductor, Lovely Kumar, the vehicle was en route to Hamirpur when it reached Kharar. At that point, another vehicle overtook the bus and signaled the driver to stop. Assuming the vehicle had a passenger in need of assistance, the driver complied and brought the bus to a halt. However, what followed was nothing short of alarming.

Suddenly, two individuals emerged from the vehicle carrying sticks and began attacking the bus, targeting the front glasses. The attackers struck the windows forcefully, causing them to break and sending shards of glass flying inside the bus. Passengers, approximately 25 to 26 in number, were in a state of shock and panic as the attack unfolded. Thankfully, no one was injured, though the emotional distress caused by the incident was significant.

The attackers quickly fled the scene after carrying out the vandalism, leaving the passengers terrified and the bus damaged. The conductor, visibly shaken by the event, mentioned that the entire incident unfolded so quickly that he could not understand the motive behind the attack. He further stated that the situation left the passengers in fear, and they were unsure whether they were safe or not.

A video of the attack surfaced soon after, showing the two individuals smashing the bus windows with sticks, which has since circulated widely on social media. The video has further fueled concerns about the safety of public transport, especially for those traveling long distances between states.

Rising Concerns Over Passenger Safety

This attack comes in the wake of other troubling incidents targeting HRTC buses in the region. Just days earlier, in Hoshiarpur, some individuals stopped a bus on the highway and affixed posters of the controversial figure Bhindranwala to the vehicle. This event raised alarms within the Himachal Pradesh government and was brought up in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has expressed his intention to address the issue with his Punjab counterpart, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in order to ensure the safety of passengers traveling in and out of Punjab.

The string of incidents has led to an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among the thousands of passengers who travel between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh daily. It is reported that HRTC operates around 450 buses in Punjab, and these incidents have heightened concerns about the safety of these buses and their passengers. Notably, another incident earlier in the year saw an HRTC bus being vandalized in Dehradun, with the driver’s clothes even being torn during the altercation.

Police Investigation Underway

In response to the attack in Kharar, authorities have initiated a full investigation into the incident. Shiv Kumar, the in-charge at the Hamirpur bus station, confirmed that the bus was indeed attacked and that the windows were broken. He further stated that the incident had been reported to higher authorities, and the police had arrived at the scene to begin their inquiry.

The police have started investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack and are working to identify the individuals responsible. However, at this time, no concrete explanation has emerged regarding the motive behind the assault. Authorities have assured that they are taking the matter seriously and will do everything in their power to ensure such incidents do not happen again.

Public Reaction and Calls for Action

The attack on the HRTC bus has sparked public outrage, especially among the residents of Himachal Pradesh, who rely on these buses for daily commutes. Social media has been flooded with calls for stricter security measures for public transport, particularly for buses traveling through potentially volatile areas. Several passengers have expressed concern about the lack of protection and support during such incidents, while some have even questioned the role of law enforcement in preventing these attacks.

As the investigation unfolds, the authorities are under pressure to provide answers and take swift action to protect the safety of public transport systems in the region. With the increasing frequency of such incidents, there are growing calls for enhanced security protocols, including more patrols along bus routes and the installation of cameras on buses to monitor for any untoward activities.

For now, passengers remain wary, hoping that justice will be served and that their daily commutes will no longer be marked by fear and uncertainty.