Thrissur: Motor vehicles department (MVD) officials have decided to take action against a private bus conductor after he prevented students from boarding the bus at Wadakkanchery. Class X students of a private school near the bus stand were blocked by the conductor when they were returning home on Tuesday evening. A video of one of the students pleading to the conductor with folded hands to let them in had gone viral. According to students, they even told the conductor that they would travel standing. The incident had invited widespread protests from student organisations. SFI organised a march to the bus stand. AISF workers also raised protests.
Action Taken by Authorities
Following this, MVD and police initiated action against the conductor, Ramadas of Mangalam near Wadakkanchery. Police took a petty case and slapped a fine on him, Wadakkanchery SHO Muraleedharan said. MVD has taken possession of his licence and issued a notice asking him to appear before them on Thursday and give an explanation, Wadakkanchery joint RTO S Sreejith said. According to official sources, his licence is likely to be suspended after hearing his explanation. He is also likely to be sent for rigorous training, sources said.
Students and Parents Seek No Further Action
But in a moving twist to the incidents, some of the students said on Wednesday afternoon that they are not demanding action against the bus staff and are keen only to get assured that they will be able to reach home as quickly as possible after classes. The SHO said some of the parents also informed police that they are not interested in pursuing the case as they didn’t want someone to lose his job because of this incident. SHO said he has decided to deploy police personnel at various bus stops to avert clashes between students and bus operators in the wake of the incident.
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About the Author
T Ramavarman: Ramavarman T began his journalism career in 1982 and has worked with several leading media organisations, including PTI, Indian Communicator, Reuters, The Hindu, and Khaleej Times, in addition to The Times of India.
