Three tourists from Haryana were arrested by Kullu police for allegedly pelting stones at a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus and assaulting its driver and conductor. The violent incident, stemming from a dispute over seating, occurred late on Sunday night at the Kullu bus stand.
Violent Outburst Over Bus Route
The altercation took place around 10:45 PM on Sunday night. According to Khoob Ram, the in-charge of Kullu bus stand, the youths, who are all from Kaithal in Haryana, demanded seats on a Volvo bus that was scheduled to travel from Manali to Chandigarh.
When the HRTC staff informed them that the bus was bound for Chandigarh and not their hometown, the situation quickly escalated. The tourists reportedly began beating the driver and conductor. Their aggression intensified as they started pelting stones at the bus, causing severe damage.
Severe Damage and Passenger Inconvenience
The stone-pelting attack resulted in the smashing of the bus's front and side window glasses. Fortunately, none of the passengers onboard sustained any injuries during the assault.
However, the bus was damaged so badly that it could not continue its journey. The HRTC had to arrange an alternate bus to ferry the passengers to Chandigarh. This logistical change caused a delay of nearly an hour for all travelers, disrupting their plans.
Call for Action and Enhanced Security
Bus stand in-charge Khoob Ram emphasized the need for strict measures following the incident. He urged the police to not only take legal action against the accused but also to recover the cost of damages from them to set a strong precedent.
He also highlighted a critical security lapse, pointing out that no police personnel were present at the bus stand when the tourists went on their rampage. Ram called for beefed-up security at the transport hub to prevent such occurrences in the future.
The three accused were promptly arrested by the Kullu police, and an investigation is underway. The incident has raised concerns about tourist behavior and safety protocols at key transit points in the popular Kullu-Manali region.
