Assault on PRTC bus driver triggers protest

Hundreds of commuters were left stranded after a grievous assault on a driver of a Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) bus led to an hour-long blockade on the busy road outside Punjabi University today. As per the statement of bus driver Gurpreet Singh, seven youngsters carrying sharp weapons attacked him and fled the scene. The police said a heated argument between the driver and the youngsters outside the bus stand the reason behind the assault. The driver said he was on way to Chandigarh from Patiala, when four youngsters entered into an argument with him at a traffic light near the bus stand. Gurpreet Singh said he ignored them and started driving the bus. When he reached near Punjabi University the same persons riding a bike, along with their accomplices, intercepted the bus. As he alighted from the vehicle, they attacked him with sharp-edged weapons and fled the scene. Gurpreet Singh was rushed to the hospital and was discharged after treatment. However, the incident triggered angry protest. Manpreet Singh, president of PRTC Contract Workers Union, Chandigarh Depot, along with other drivers and conductors, blocked the highway in protest. They lifted the dharna only after the accused were identified. Manpreet Singh stated that if the police failed to arrest the accused, the workers union will sit on an indefinite strike.

Patiala