Muktsar: Villagers, bus staff argue over seating norm

Muktsar, January 30

Following state transport employees not allowing passengers more than the fixed sitting capacity of the buses, some residents of Daula village in Gidderbaha and staff of a PRTC bus entered a scuffle this morning.

The bus was travelling from Gidderbaha to Bathinda and some passengers, including students, were waiting for it at the bus stop on the Malout-Bathinda highway at Daula village. The bus stopped, but the staff did not allow the passengers to board the vehicle.

Irritated over it, some passengers raised their voices, which led to a minor scuffle between passengers and the bus staff. The latter later blocked the highway, due to which the commuters had to face hardships.

On getting information, a police party reached the spot and took two youngsters to the police station.

Some residents of Daula village said that, “The state government should either ply more buses on this route or allow ferrying of passengers more than the total sitting capacity.”

Gidderbaha DSP Jasbir Singh said that, “A verbal spat took place between some passengers and the PRTC staff. However, no one has lodged a complaint.”