Transport staff to protest on Feb 25 against attack on Belagavi bus conductor

BENGALURU: Of late, there has been an increase in cases of assault on conductors and drivers. In a recent incident, a bus driver and conductor of the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) were allegedly assaulted by a group of youths following a dispute over language in Belagavi, and the Marihal police have booked him under the POCSO Act, which is has come in for stong condemnation from several quarters.

The Karnataka State Road Transport Employees’ Federation has condemned the attack on the conductor and has organised a massive protest in Belagavi on February 25. The protest will start from the Belagavi bus station at 10.30 am and proceed to the district Deputy Commissioner’s office.

Hundreds of transport employees are expected to participate in the protest and the federation is demanding that the government take action against those who attack transport employees.

Chandrashekhar, the state president of the federation, said, that as of now, CCTV cameras are only installed in BMTC buses. The transport department employees are demanding that cameras be installed in all buses, including KSRTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC buses.

The transport employees are of the opinion that if CCTV cameras are installed in all buses, it will be easier to identify the culprits. They are also demanding that the government take stringent action against those who attack transport employees. The Karnataka State Road Transport Employees’ Federation has also urged the government to publicly announce the punishment for those who attack transport employees.