The police have arrested seven persons in connection with the rioting and arson at the KPN Travels India Private Ltd (KPNTIPL) depot at D’Souza Nagar, off Nayandanahalli, on September 12.
The police identified the suspects as Rakshith, 19, Satish, 27, Kiran, 27, Kempegowda, 28, Prakash, 46, Lokesh, 25 and Chandan, 19, residents of D’ Souza Nagar and the neighbouring Veerabhadranagar. They work in various industrial units in Peenya and Kengeri.
Based on a complaint by a KPNTIPL driver Venkatachalam, the police had registered a case under IPC Sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 427 (mischief causing damage), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons) and 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage). He had stated in the complaint that unknown persons had torched 42 buses.
“Venkatachalam had told the police that KPNTIPL management would assess the loss and inform us,” the jurisdictional police inspector said.
It is estimated that the KPNTIPL has incurred losses of Rs 12 crore to Rs 14 crore. “The cost of the buses damaged in the arson ranges between Rs 35 and Rs 38 lakh each,” said a company representative.
KPNTIPL executive director K P N Rajesh told DH they had insured most of the buses through The New India Assurance Company Ltd. The insurance company officials visited the depot on Tuesday and inspected the spot.
Services halted
Meanwhile, KPNTIPL has decided to halt bus services between Benglauru and various destinations in Tamil Nadu till normalcy is restored in Bengaluru and Tamil Nadu.
“We operates 80 buses from various destinations in Tamil Nadu to Bengaluru, while 80 buses originate from here to various destinations in Tamil Nadu every day. The situation in Tamil Nadu and Bengaluru doesn’t allow us to start operations. Hence, we decided to halt the services till normalcy is restored,” Rajesh said.
The company has refunded money to those who had made advance bookings online. Those who have booked tickets through agents will get the refund in two days, he said.
Rajesh said arsonists attacked drivers inside the depot.
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