Srinagar, Oct 19 (JKNS): Unidentified persons allegedly pelted stones at a Srinagar-bound private sleeper Volvo bus in Doraha area of Ludhiana district in Punjab late Sunday night, triggering concern over the safety of passengers travelling from other parts of the country to Jammu and Kashmir.
The incident took place around 11 pm when the bus, operated by Star World Ventures, was travelling towards Srinagar on the Delhi-Jammu highway.
The driver, Ishfaq Ahmad, told media as per news agency JKNS that, unidentified persons approached the vehicle and started hurling stones at it. Passengers, including women and children, were reportedly frightened, but no injuries were reported in the incident.
The driver said the matter was brought to the notice of Punjab Police, following which police personnel escorted the bus for several kilometres. The vehicle subsequently resumed its journey towards Srinagar.
J&K Students Association Takes Up Matter with Punjab Authorities
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) took up the matter with the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office and Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav on Monday morning, seeking immediate intervention and swift action against those responsible.
The Association also spoke with officials at the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office, including Media Adviser and Spokesperson Baltej Pannu, urging them to ensure prompt action in the matter.
Following the intervention, SP Investigation Khanna, Rakesh Kumar Yadav, informed JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami that an FIR (No. 0343) had been registered at Doraha Police Station under Sections 324(4) and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
He further informed the Association that multiple police teams had been constituted to identify and apprehend those responsible, while further investigation and legal proceedings were underway.
Incident Follows Attack on J&K-Bound Bus in Haryana
The latest incident comes a day after another private sleeper bus carrying passengers from Jammu and Kashmir was allegedly attacked with stones and bricks at a dhaba near Nilokheri in Haryana on Saturday night, leaving a passenger and a worker injured. Two persons have been arrested in connection with that incident.
The Haryana incident triggered concern across Kashmir, with political and religious leaders demanding strict action against those involved. The driver of that bus had alleged that the assailants called him a “terrorist” after noticing the vehicle’s registration number.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the Haryana incident and urged the state government to take strict action against the accused. Haryana Police, however, ruled out a hate-crime angle, maintaining that the incident stemmed from an argument by the roadside.
The latest incident in Punjab has renewed concerns over the safety of passengers travelling between Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country. Further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the attack are awaited. (JKNS)
