Tensions are brewing between Himachal Pradesh and Punjab over Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale Posters. On Tuesday evening, two men stopped a Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus going to Hamirpur from Chandigarh in Kharar. The bus was then vandalised with sticks and stones. All the glasses of the HRTC bus broke due to this. All the passengers sitting on the bus were terrified. This attack took place at 6:50 pm last evening.
According to the information, the attackers came in an Alto car. They first stopped the Himachal bus. After this, they attacked and after damaging the bus, fled from there in a car. Fortunately, no passenger was injured.
Raj Kumar, the driver of the Himachal bus, said that both the attackers had a cloth tied to their faces. There was tape on the number plate of their vehicle. Due to this, the people on the bus could not see the number of the Alto car. During the attack, about 25 passengers were sitting on the bus. The miscreants who came in an Alto car had signaled them to stop the bus. They thought that there might be some passengers, so they stopped the bus.
But as soon as the bus stopped, two masked men got out of the car and attacked the glass of the bus one after the other. This scared the passengers sitting on the bus. The front glass of the bus was badly damaged due to which the bus was parked on the side. After this, the passengers were sent towards Hamirpur in another Volvo bus.
Apart from Himachal Pradesh's government buses, other vehicles with HP number plates are also being stopped in Punjab. Bhindranwala's posters are being put on them.
Why are Himachal Pradesh and Punjab are at loggerheads?
For those who are unaware, last week a large number of devotees from Punjab reached Kullu in Himachal Pradesh on bikes. During this, they had an argument with the local people and the police. The local people had removed Bhindranwala's flags from the bikes. Bhindrawale Posters were also desecrated on the streets.
After this, Himachal Pradesh buses are being targeted in different areas of Punjab. Two days ago, posters of Bhindranwala were put up on Himachal buses at the Hoshiarpur bus stand, and threats were given by waving swords. Due to this, Himachal drivers, conductors, and passengers are scared.
Issue of attack on Himachal Pradesh vehicles raised in Assembly
On Tuesday, this issue was also raised in Himachal Pradesh State Assembly. Then, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu had talked about talking to Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
For those who dont know, reports suggest that everyday more than 100 buses go to different cities of Punjab from Himachal Pradesh. Some buses go to many cities including Haridwar, Chandigarh, and Delhi via Punjab. Himachal Driver Union President Man Singh Thakur said that if the attacks on Himachal buses do not stop, then from today onwards, they will be forced to stop bus services to Punjab. He has requested Himachal and Punjab CM to resolve the issue soon.
DSP Kharar, Karan Sandhu said that some miscreants had broken the glass panes of Himachal buses near the flyover. After receiving the information, the police team reached the spot. The police ensured the safety of the driver, conductor, and passengers. After this, on the basis of the information, a case has been registered against unknown people and an investigation has been started.
He said the accused will be arrested soon. "I appeal to everyone that no one should take the law in their own hands. Peace should be maintained. If any person does this, then strict action will be taken against him," said DSP Sandhu.