In a concerning development, another incident of vandalism of buses with Himachal Pradesh number plates has come to the fore that is being linked to Pro Khalistan elements. On Saturday morning, unidentified miscreants defaced HRTC buses by spray-painting the word ‘Khalistan’ in black and smashing their windows at Amritsar Bus Stand. The incident came to light when bus drivers and conductors discovered the damage in the morning and immediately informed the authorities and the police.
Following the latest incident, HRTC bus drivers have refused to operate buses in Punjab until their safety is ensured. They have made it clear that they will not resume services until Punjab authorities take concrete steps to guarantee their security. Dr. Nipun Jindal, Managing Director of Himachal Road Transport Corporation, also confirmed this in a conversation with the media and said that this is a very serious matter.
The Himachal government had earlier also demanded increased security from the Punjab government, but such incidents are happening again, which is a matter of concern. As per reports, the SHO of Rambagh police station said that information is being collected. Full details will be shared soon. Such incidents can increase tension between Himachal and Punjab.
Himachal Pradesh bus attacked in Kharar
Earlier on Tuesday, 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.
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.
Why tension is brewing between Himachal Pradesh and Punjab?
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.
It is pertinent to mention here that Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Sukhu said on Wednesday that his Punjab counterpart, Bhagwant Singh Mann, had assured him of strict action against those who attacked Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses in Punjab.