Biker killed in accident, bus set on fire

Situation turned violent at Thanisandra in Banaswadi on Wednesday night as irate public set a private bus on fire after it mowed down a two-wheeler rider.

The police used canes to disperse the crowd. Additional forces were deployed to thwart any attempts to spread violence. Though the situation is now under control, it continues to be tense.

The violence broke out at around 8.30 pm after the road accident. Narayanappa, 54, a resident of Malleswaram and a private firm employee, was riding back to his house when the accident occurred. The speeding driver failed to control the bus and it ran over Narayanappa. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but succumbed to injuries some time later.

Action sought
The bus driver jumped out of the bus and escaped after the accident. Soon, a large number of local residents gathered at the spot and demanded action against the bus driver. The situation went out of control when a few of them threw stones at the bus and set it on fire. When the police reached the spot, the bus was already in flames.

The residents blocked the road and sat on a flash protest. They demanded immediate arrest of the driver and action against speeding private buses in the locality.

“We had a tough time in pacifying the protesters. We pleaded with them to withdraw the protest and ensure order on the road, but they ignored our pleas. We had to use canes to control the situation. Situation was normal after the protesters were chased away,” said a senior police officer.