Channapatana bus robbery: Pinarayi seeks state assurance on travellers security

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sought assurance from the Karnataka Government on the security of bus passengers from Kerala to Karnataka, following the armed robbery in a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus at Channapatna, early on Thursday.
 
The Chief Minister called for stringent action against the culprits and enhanced security in areas bordering the two states. He said Kerala Police would also heighten vigil on the inter-state highway.
 
Kerala State Police Chief Loknath Behera telephoned Karnataka DGP R K Dutta and requested measures to ensure security for inter-state buses and passengers. With Onam falling on September 4, buses between the two states are set to run packed.
 
The incident happened at about 3 am in a Kozhikode-Bengaluru KSRTC bus. According to passengers and the bus conductor, the bike-borne robbers stopped near the parked bus and entered the vehicle, when the driver was taking a toilet break. The men who carried sickles and knives took money, jewellery and other valuables from the passengers and sped away.
 
The bus which departed from Kozhikode Wednesday evening had about 45 passengers at the time of the incident.