Himachal News: HRTC Stops Night-Stop Bus Service On 20 Punjab Routes After Attacks In Mohali, Amritsar

The Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has suspended night-stop bus services on 20 routes in Punjab following an incident of vandalism involving HRTC buses in Mohali and Amritsar. The decision was made during a corporation meeting on Saturday, where officials resolved to halt bus operations that include overnight stops at local stations in Punjab. The corporation has also filed an FIR regarding the incidents.

HRTC Suspends Night Stops in Punjab

According to HRTC, at least 20 buses used to have overnight halts in Punjab including 10 buses in Amritsar, four buses in Hoshiarpur, four buses in Ludhiana and two buses in Jalandhar. HRTC’s fleet comprises approximately 600 buses that operate through Punjab.

Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri informed the state assembly about the incident of vandalism on HRTC buses. He said that three buses parked at a bus station in Amritsar were vandalised, with their windshields shattered. He further said that state-owned buses are routinely targeted in the neighbouring state of Punjab.

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He told the assembly that along with the vandalism controversial posters were pasted on the buses. Moreover, the deputy CM said that two accused have been arrested after an FIR into the incident. He also discussed the matter with the Chief Minister of Punjab and the Director General of Police (DGP).

‘Khalistan’ Graffiti Found on Vandalised Bus

Apart from the three vandalised buses in Amritsar, one of the vehicles was also defaced with ‘Khalistan’ graffiti. Earlier, a similar incident occurred at Hoshiarpur Bus Station, where two suspects were arrested. The incident came days after the windshield and some windows of a HRTC bus were damaged by two unidentified persons in Mohali's Kharar.

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These incidents came close on the heels of a row which had erupted after some locals in Himachal Pradesh removed flags bearing the image of slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale from the bikes of a group of youths from Punjab. To vent their anger, Dal Khalsa and Sikh Youth of Punjab activists pasted the image of Bhindranwale on HRTC buses, as well as some private ones, in Hoshiarpur.