A passenger bus traveling from Delhi to Srinagar was reportedly targeted in an act of hostility near Kurukshetra, Haryana, on Saturday night. The incident, which involved the vandalization of the vehicle and physical intimidation, left an elderly passenger injured and has drawn an immediate response from the Jammu and Kashmir administration.
According to the bus driver, identified as Waqar, the vehicle had made a routine stop for a dinner break at a hotel in Nilokheri, located beyond Karnal. The driver stated that shortly after parking the 40-seater sleeper bus, a group of individuals present in the parking area began confronting him. He alleged that the assailants specifically objected to the presence of a vehicle registered in Jammu and Kashmir, using aggressive language and demanding that he relocate the bus immediately.
Waqar reported that one of the individuals shouted, “Atankwadi gaadi nikal yahan se” (Move this terrorist vehicle from here), while insisting that vehicles from Jammu and Kashmir were unwelcome in Haryana. The situation escalated quickly as the attackers allegedly struck the front windshield and physically assaulted the driver. The perpetrators reportedly proceeded to smash the bus's front and rear number plates, causing significant damage to the vehicle. The driver further claimed that the attackers issued direct threats to shoot them and set the bus on fire.
At the time of the incident, there were 35 passengers on board, many of whom were outside the bus when the confrontation broke out. The driver expressed his distress regarding the incident, emphasizing the need for safe travel across regional borders. He noted that vehicles from Haryana frequently travel to Jammu and Kashmir, and argued that such acts of hooliganism only serve to create a hostile and dangerous environment for travelers.
The incident drew a swift response from Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Taking to social media, the Chief Minister confirmed that his office had formally taken up the matter with the Haryana government. He stated that the state administration had assured him that prompt and stringent action would be taken against those responsible, in accordance with the law.
In a statement regarding the administration's position, the Chief Minister added, “The J&K Government stands with the affected passengers and is closely monitoring the situation.” The involvement of the two state administrations signals the gravity of the incident, as authorities aim to maintain public order and ensure the safety of inter-state transit.
As of now, the investigation into the incident is expected to proceed under the jurisdiction of the local Haryana police. The assault has raised concerns about the safety of commuters traveling between regions and the potential for communal or regional tensions to manifest in acts of road-side violence. Further updates are expected as local law enforcement authorities continue their inquiry into the identities of the attackers and the circumstances leading up to the vandalism.
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