Harassment: Bus driver, conductor attempt suicide

Unable to bear the harassment meted out by the senior officers, a KSRTC bus driver and conductor attempted to commit suicide by consuming poison at the town bus stand in K R Pet on Monday evening. The incident came to light on Tuesday.

Driver Ravi, 28, and conductor Ravi Ullura, 31, are those two staffers, admitted to a private hospital in Mysore for treatment.

Details of the incident

A farmer was carrying a packet of marigold  flowers weighing three kg while travelling in the bus on Sunday evening. A checking inspector, belonging to Hassan division questioned the farmers whether he had bought a ticket for luggage.

He warned of levying a penalty of Rs 200 or will be handed over to police. When the farmer explained his helplessness and started screaming the co-passengers  thrashed the officer and the staff. The inspector who left the place immediately is said to have lodged a complaint against the bus driver and conductor for hatching a conspiracy to assault him.

Driver Ravi and Ravi Ullura who were returning to depot on Monday evening got information that the police were waiting at the depot to arrest them for Sunday’s incident.

Dejected over the same they purchased pesticide at a shop nearby and consumed it in the bus. Seeing the duo writhing in pain, they were immediately shifted to Lakshmamma Dundshetty hospital and provided first aid. They were later shifted to a private hospital in Mysore.

Protest

Coming to know about the incident, the drivers and conductors staged a stir on the depot premises and blamed the depot manager and officials for harassing the staff and abusing them. They are served notice for no fault of theirs and also alleged of receiving bribe, they charged.

The step taken by the town police sub inspector to bring the situation under control proved futile. Depot manager Papanaik and others were also present.