Students, KSRTC staff clash, bus services affected

Following protest and counter protest by students and staff of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), bus services to rural areas went haywire. Police intervened later and brought the situation under control.

Dayanand a student alleged that he was assaulted and berated by a bus driver.  According to the driver, the students came in the way of the bus that was entering the stand from Hanumanthapura and didn’t clear the way even after honking.  Dayanand further alleged that driver of Malligevalu bus was also involved in the assault.

Hundreds of students under the aegis of ABVP gathered at the bus stand, which worsened the situation. While students staged a protest against KSRTC staff. The staff too suspended work and armed with iron rods converged at the stand, it is alleged. Driver Manjunath was injured in the attack by students. Police who intervened later were successful in bringing the situation under control.

Additional superintendent of police Prabhakar arrived at the spot and instructed students to lodge a complaint.

Following this students walked off the bus stand and took out a rally to deputy commissioner’s office demanding justice.

Officials of KSRTC intervened and convinced the staff, who resumed work later.
Till then, passengers who had already boarded buses, and others outside in the bus stand were the mute spectators to the whole episode.