In yet another disturbing incident targeting Himachal Road Transport Co rporation (HRTC) buses in Punjab, a Himdhara bus en route from Shri Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham to Vrindavan Dham was attacked by three bike-borne assailants in Ropar district.The attackers pelted stones at the moving vehicle, shattering the front windshield. Fortunately, no passengers were injured in the incident.
The route had only been launched a day earlier, flagged off with religious ceremonies at Nagrota Bagwan to boost religious tourism. On its inaugural run, the bus carried 10 passengers and departed from Chamunda at 3:20 pm. The attack occurred after the vehicle crossed into Punjab.
This is not an isolated incident. In recent months, HRTC buses passing through various parts of Punjab have faced repeated acts of vandalism and targeted attacks.
On March 18, an HRTC bus traveling from Chandigarh to Hamirpur was attacked near the Kharar flyover by two masked individuals wielding rods and sticks. The windshield and windows were smashed before the assailants fled. The police later arrested the suspects, reportedly retaliating over the removal of pro-Khalistan flags in Himachal.
On March 21, four HRTC buses parked overnight at the Amritsar Inter-State Bus Terminal were vandalised. Windshields were shattered, and pro-Khalistan slogans were graffitied across the vehicles.
Additional attacks took place in Hoshiarpur and Sirhind, where buses were defaced with provocative posters, and a Chamba-Delhi bus had its windows broken. A Manali-bound bus was also forcibly plastered with objectionable material.
In response to the attacks, the Himachal Pradesh government had temporarily suspended 10 bus routes to Hoshiarpur and directed that no HRTC buses be parked overnight in Punjab until passenger safety can be guaranteed.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who also oversees the transport department, strongly condemned the attacks. He reiterated that the HRTC is a public transport service not involved in any political or religious agendas and urged the Punjab government to ensure strict legal action against those responsible.
Himachal officials have also initiated talks with Punjab counterparts to improve the safety of inter-state routes and restore public confidence in bus travel.
Follow us
