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Two Buses Torched by Miscreants in Baijnath, Police Launch Probe
Two passenger buses belonging to HRTC and CTU were set on fire by unidentified miscreants in Baijnath, Himachal Pradesh. The incident caused losses of about ₹40 lakh per vehicle. Police have launched an investigation and are reviewing CCTV footage. Locals and the Baijnath MLA have demanded stronger night patrolling after a similar fire incident earlier this week.
Two Passenger Buses Set Ablaze by Miscreants in Baijnath; Police Begin Investigation
Baijnath (Kangra) | November 8 | Diary Times News Bureau
Two passenger buses belonging to the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) and the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) were set ablaze by unidentified miscreants late Thursday night in Baijnath, around 20 km from Palampur, police said.
The incident occurred at around 1 a.m. on the Pathankot–Mandi National Highway, where both buses were parked for the night. The buses had arrived at 8 p.m. and were scheduled to depart for Shimla and Chandigarh at 6 a.m.
According to the drivers and conductors, who were sleeping in a nearby rest area, local residents noticed smoke coming from the parked buses and immediately alerted the fire department. Fire tenders reached the spot within minutes, but by then both buses had been completely gutted.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers first set the tyres on fire, which quickly engulfed the entire vehicles. The estimated loss is around ₹40 lakh per bus. Local youths and drivers made early attempts to douse the flames before the fire engines arrived.
Notably, a similar incident occurred just four days ago, when a car was set on fire in the same area, raising concerns about rising vandalism in Baijnath.
Police have registered a case under sections related to damage to public property and initiated an investigation. A few locals spotted near the site have been questioned, and CCTV footage from nearby shops is being examined.
Baijnath MLA Kishori Lal condemned the incident, calling it a blot on the town’s image and urging police to take strict action against the culprits. He also stressed the need for enhanced night patrolling.
Residents, meanwhile, voiced concern over the lack of police presence after 10 p.m., saying this lapse has emboldened miscreants in the area.
