HRTC employees issue 72-hour ultimatum after attack on conductor

The brutal attack on Kuldeep Singh, a Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation (HRTC) conductor, near the Himachal-Haryana border at Marrawala on May 3 has triggered widespread outrage among HRTC employees across the state. Employee unions have issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the state government, warning of intensified protests if swift action is not taken against the culprits.

Singh, posted at the Nalagarh depot, was assaulted with sticks by unidentified youths while on duty in a Palampur-Chandigarh-bound bus. He sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a hospital by the bus driver. Despite the severity of the incident, no arrests have been made by Haryana Police, even after three days, sparking anger and concern among HRTC staff.

On May 6, the State Conductors Union held a meeting at Nalagarh, chaired by General Secretary Dipendra Kanwar. The meeting saw participation from senior union members including Senior Vice President Naveen Thakur, Nalagarh area head Devendra Bhardwaj, Vaneet Kumar from Parmanu, and HRTC Drivers Union head Surendra Singh, along with representatives from various depots.

The unions collectively expressed deep dissatisfaction with the Haryana administration, the HRTC management, and the Himachal government for their silence and inaction. The leaders declared that the attack was not just on an individual but on the dignity and safety of the entire HRTC workforce.

An ultimatum has been issued, demanding the arrest of the culprits by 12 noon on May 9. Failure to meet this deadline will result in a state-wide agitation, including road blockades, mass leave, or a complete halt to bus services (Chakka Jam). The responsibility for any disruption, they emphasised, would lie with the authorities.

Himachal Tribune