Students, transporters clash over bus fare in Mansa

Tribune News Service

Mansa, September 3

Traffic remained blocked on Tinkoni road in Mansa for over an hour today after a scuffle between private transporters and students in front of local police station.

Some students of Mata Sundari Girls College and Nehru Memorial Government College boarded a Gobind Transport bus. The students refused to give bus fare, following which a scuffle broke out between them and the conductor. The driver parked the bus near police station and asked the students to get down. Students, however, staged a protest in front of the bus, claiming that the government had promised to charge no fair from students within 8-km radius of their college. Thereafter, other private transporters gathered and allegedly assaulted students, following which students demanded their arrest.

As the police decided to book a bus conductor, private transporters blocked the bus stand and staged a protest. On the other hand, members of a student union, too, staged a protest near the bus stand and demanded action against transporters for assaulting them.

Later, Mansa SSP Raghubir Singh Sandhu said, “The issue was resolved amicably after DSP Rupinder Bhardwaj held a meeting with transporters and students.”

However, student unions said they would hold an agitation to raise the issue. “Students were promised free bus service within an 8-km radius of the college. This was assured on stage by MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal at Mata Sundari College two months ago. She had claimed that no girl student would be charged bus fare even where no government buses are plying,” said Krishan Chauhan, president, student union of NM College.

Mansa PRTC in charge Vinod Kumar claimed to have no information about the “announcement”. Mansa Mini Bus Union vice-president Amarjit Singh said the issue had been resolved with police intervention and a pact signed for 50% rebate on bus fare to students as no transporter could accommodate passengers for free.

Issue resolved, say transporters 
The issue has been resolved with police intervention. A pact has been signed between private transporters and colleges for 50% rebate on bus fare to students as no transporter can accommodate passengers for free. —Amarjit Singh, vice-president, Mini Bus Union

Entitled to free bus service, claim students

Students were promised free bus service within an 8-km radius of the college. This was assured on stage by MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal at Mata Sundari College two months ago. She had claimed that no girl student would be charged bus fare even where no government buses are plying. —Krishan Chauhan, President, Student Union, NM College