Maha govt cancels bus services from Kolhapur to K’taka after attack on driver

Mumbai, Feb 22 (IANS) A day after the attack on the state transport (ST) bus and beating of the bus diver allegedly by the activists of Kannada Rakshak Vedike activists on the state transport (ST) bus in Chitrdurg from Karnataka, the Maharashtra government on Saturday took a major decision to cancel for an indefinite period the bus services from Kolhapur division to Karnataka.

The state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who had strongly condemned the incident, directed the state transport commissioner and the acting vice chairman and managing director of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to immediately scrap the bus services for an indefinite period from Kolhapur division to the neighbouring Karnataka state till the government there takes a firm stand in this regard.

The minister said that the ST bus services have been cancelled for an indefinite period considering the safety of the drivers and conductors and the passengers in general.

Sarnaik spoke to the driver Bhaskar Jadhav, who was injured in the incident, over the phone and reassured him of all the assistance. The minister also assured him that he is not alone but the government is firmly behind him. The incident took place at 9.10 pm on Friday when the ST bus run by the MSRTC was stopped and allegedly attacked by the Kannada Rakshak Vedike activists at Chitrdurg and the bus driver was beaten up as he was unable to converse in Kannada. After that at the instructions from the senior officers the driver and conductor of the ST bus filed a complaint in the nearest police station and later returned to Kolhapur.

The attack on the ST bus evoked angry reactions in Pune and Kolhapur as both factions of Shiv Sena staged protests. Some of them threatened that if such things happen they will burn the Karnataka state transport buses coming to Maharashtra.

Earlier, Sarnaik said, “The controversy should not escalate, I will talk to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister in this regard. It is not right that the village goons stopped the Maharashtra bus for publicity.”

“The Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute is not of today, Eknath Shinde has served 2 months in prison. We are Shiv Sainiks first and then ministers,” he said and reminded the Karnataka government that the state-run buses also come to Maharashtra hinting that they may be targeted here.

“The incident is highly condemnable. A case is being registered against the village goons. Instructions have also been given for strict action. We can teach them a lesson in any way. Shiv Sena was formed for good, this will be decided at the national level,” said the minister.

“Belgaum, Nipani, Karwar must be in Maharashtra. This movement was started by Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray. I will discuss this with the Chief Minister in the upcoming cabinet and take the appropriate stand,” said Sarnaik.

–IANS

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