Stone pelters target school bus in Kashmir, two hurt

Two minor schoolchildren were injured when some miscreants pelted stones at a bus in which more than 50 students were travelling, in Shopian area of south Kashmir.

State police chief Shesh Pal Vaid said miscreants pelted stones on a school bus of Rainbow School, Shopian, which resulted in injuries to Rehan, a Class II student.

"He has been shifted to SKIMS for treatment of a head injury. Complete madness how stone pelters are targeting young school children. These criminals will face the law," he tweeted.

The incident occurred at around 9.25 am near Zavoora village in Shopian, 55 km from here.

Shaliendra Mishra, SSP Shopian, said the windows of the bus were open and a few stones hit the students.

"The students had a miraculous escape as most of the windowpanes were broken due to stones," he said.

"The driver showed presence of mind and increased the speed so that he could avoid getting hit. However, unfortunately, a child was seriously hurt in his head. We had his CT scan, he is currently fine. The kids are scared. We could not ask them about the attackers," Mishra added.

The father of one of the inured student termed the incident "against humanity", adding that the same could have happened to anyone's child.

The incident evoked condemnation across the Valley.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted, "Shocked and angered to hear of the attack on a school bus in Shopian. The perpetrators of this senseless and cowardly act will be brought to justice."

Mehbooba's predecessor and Opposition National Conference leader Omar Abdullah while condemning the incident, questioned, "How does pelting stones on school children or tourist buses help advance the agenda of these stone pelters".

"Amnesty granted to stone pelters was meant to encourage more reasonable behaviour but some of these goons are determined to use the opportunity given to them to just pelt more stones," he tweeted.

Omar was referring to the state government's decision last year to grant amnesty to some 9,000 first-time stone pelters and those who were booked by the police on the recommendation of the Centre's interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma.

The move was aimed at bringing stone pelters back to their families to help them lead a peaceful life and restart their education or careers.