HRTC Buses Attacked Again in Punjab: Glasses Broken, Objectionable Words Written
Attack on HRTC buses
Shimla, March 22: The ongoing tension between Himachal Pradesh and Punjab has flared up once again with the latest attack on Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses. Six buses, including those from the Dehra, Una, Hamirpur, and Pathankot depots, were targeted at the Hoshiarpur bus stand in Punjab late last night. The attackers broke the front glasses of the buses and even wrote objectionable words on the vehicles, sparking concerns over the safety of passengers and employees traveling across state borders.
The attack on the HRTC buses comes on the heels of previous incidents where buses were targeted at Kharar and Sirhind. These disturbing acts of vandalism have raised serious questions about the safety and security of Himachal Pradesh’s public transport system, especially in Punjab. The latest incident has reignited public outrage in Himachal, with growing demands for the state government to take swift and decisive action.
According to reports, the buses were parked at the Amritsar bus stand when the damage occurred. Six buses, including those traveling from Dehra, Una, Hamirpur, and Pathankot depots, had their front glass windows shattered. In addition to the physical damage, offensive words were spray-painted on the buses, further escalating the tension.
The Growing Security Concerns
The attack on HRTC buses has raised serious concerns about the safety of the corporation’s employees and the passengers who rely on these buses for their daily travel. This incident, in particular, has left many wondering who is responsible for ensuring the safety of Himachal Pradesh buses and their staff while they travel through Punjab.
Despite assurances from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann regarding the safety of HRTC buses, this latest attack raises doubts about the effectiveness of those promises. Himachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri have been urged to take immediate action and hold Punjab accountable for the safety of HRTC buses and their employees.
The drivers and conductors of HRTC buses are working tirelessly to ensure safe travel for passengers, and their security should be a top priority for both state governments. The recent attack has led to growing public anger in Himachal Pradesh, with demands for strong action against those responsible for these attacks.
Rising Tensions Between the Two States
The latest attack on the buses marks an escalation in tensions between Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, which began when flags supporting Bhindranwala were removed from motorcycles in Kullu. This sparked protests, and the tension escalated when HRTC buses were targeted in Kharar and Sirhind. The Punjab government had initially promised to provide security for the buses, but the latest attacks have shown that the situation remains volatile.
The Himachal Pradesh government has been urged to raise the issue with the Punjab government and demand strict action against the culprits to prevent further incidents. If left unchecked, these recurring attacks could strain the relationship between the two states, leading to potential unrest.
Union Response and Public Outrage
The Himachal Pradesh Conductor Union, led by Vice President Naveen Thakur, has strongly condemned the attack. Thakur stated that a meeting of the union has been scheduled to discuss the matter and determine the next steps. The union has called on the state government to take immediate action to protect the employees and ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
As the situation continues to unfold, the people of Himachal Pradesh are looking to their government for a strong response to ensure the safety and security of the public transport system. The growing sense of insecurity among passengers and employees is a clear sign that urgent action is needed to prevent further violence and maintain peace between the two states.
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