HRTC bus vandalisation row: SPs of border areas directed to coordinate with their Punjab counterparts

Day after Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured that DGP-level officers of both the states will hold talks over the vandalisation of Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses in Punjab, the HP police has directed the Superintendent of Police (SP) of districts having borders with Punjab to coordinate with the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSPs) of the districts concerned for coordination as well as to keep a strict vigil on miscreants.

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As per police sources, talks were also held between the senior police officers of both the states and the Punjab police assured of appropriate action in the matter. Directions were also issued to its SSPs to coordinate with Himachal Police and maintain a strict vigil on border areas.

The issue started when a video — wherein some Himachal Pradesh locals were removing pro-Khalistani flags from the vehicles of Punjabi youths who were on their way to Manikaran in Kullu — made waves on social media, thus outraging a certain section of people in Punjab. As per the police, appropriate action has been taken in the matter on both parties and the issue has now been resolved. However, the incident drew flak from people of certain sections in Punjab who demanded action in this matter and stated that vehicles as well as buses entering Punjab must bear posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindrawala.

The issue further escalated as some miscreants vandalised an HRTC bus in Kharar in Punjab as well as several people pasted posters of Bhindrawala on HRTC buses. As per reports, an HRTC bus enroute Hamirpur from Chandigarh was stopped by a car on the Kharar flyover, after which miscreants proceeded to smash its windows. No passengers were injured in the incident. In another incident, stones were pelted at an HRTC bus near Sirhind in Punjab. FIRs have been filed in both cases.

As a precautionary measure, HRTC proceeded to suspend 10 routes to Punjab. The issue also made its way to the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly where Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur expressed concern over the matter and demanded the CM to take appropriate action. The CM stated that he has held discussions with his counterpart in Punjab who assured him that action would be taken against those responsible for the incident.

Meanwhile, the police stated that certain sections were trying to unnecessarily instigate tensions between the two states while saner sections from both the states have condemned these incidents and have appealed for peace.