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| Kashmir-bound bus attacked in Haryana; Police cite parking row | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 18: A Srinagar-bound bus was attacked in Haryana’s Kurukshetra area on Saturday night, leaving an elderly Kashmiri passenger injured and several others badly shaken. The incident has drawn sharp reactions from political leaders, religious figures, civil society groups and transporters in Jammu and Kashmir.
The luxury bus, run by Kashmir-based Star World Ventures, was heading from Delhi to Srinagar with nearly 40 passengers when it was attacked around 10.45 pm near Divine Star Dhaba. According to the driver and passengers, unidentified men abused the driver and then hurled stones and bricks at the bus. Windowpanes and tail lights were smashed, and broken glass fell across the sleeping berths. One passenger said the bricks were thrown with such force that they tore through the compartments.
The driver alleged that the leader of the group called the passengers terrorists and said he would not allow Jammu and Kashmir vehicles to run in Haryana. An elderly man suffered facial injuries, and videos on social media showed him bleeding.
Karnal Police have given a different account. They have registered an FIR and detained two men, identified as Mohit and Sawan, both from Karnal district. Police said there was no hate-crime angle.
A police spokesperson said Butana police station was informed around 10 pm on October 17, and a team reached the spot. Officers found the bus windows damaged. A preliminary inquiry showed that the bus driver and people travelling in a private car had argued over parking. The two accused allegedly broke the windowpanes during the altercation, and one passenger was hurt.
Reports said that no complaint was filed at first because both sides had reportedly reached a compromise, after which the bus went on towards Srinagar. The FIR was registered later on a complaint from the manager of the dhaba. The Maruti Baleno car allegedly involved has been seized, and police said further legal action is under way. They also urged people not to believe rumours on social media and rejected any communal angle.
Star World Ventures has confirmed the attack. At the time of filing this report, the identity and motive of the attackers had not been independently established.
Kashmir Transporters Federation president Mir Mohammad Shafi said the incident had alarmed transport operators and raised fears that Kashmiris were being kept from earning a living outside the Union Territory. He urged the Haryana and Delhi governments to protect Kashmiri drivers and passengers. |
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