Bhubaneswar: ‘Ama Bus’ service was disrupted as the staff, including conductors and drivers, staged a sit-in at Bhubaneswar on Tuesday protesting alleged assault by miscreants.
The drivers and conductors staged a sit-in protest at various depots in the city, alleging unprovoked assaults by some miscreants on Monday night.
Expressing concern over their safety and security, employees of ‘Ama Bus’ demanded adequate security measures by the government. The agitating staff have stated that they will not resume services until protection is guaranteed.
Meanwhile, the Capital Region Urban Transport, CRUT, that operates the Ama Bus service said that in an incident that occurred on the night of May 12, involving a Ama Bus (Bus No: OD 33AH 0158, Route No: 23) operating from IGKC to Master Canteen, Trilochana Parida, a guide with Ama Bus was assaulted by a group of bikers.
The incident occurred near the Ayurvedic Hospital stoppage, where an exchange of words took place between the crew and a group of bikers. The confrontation was triggered by dust stirred up due to ongoing road construction and uneven surfaces. It is important to note that the bike group was travelling in the wrong direction on a one-way road, violating traffic norms, CRUT clarified.
Following the confrontation, the bikers aggressively chased the bus, prompting the captain to divert the route for the safety of the passengers and crew. The bus diverted from Fire Station to Baramunda, then proceeded to Acharya Vihar, and finally reached the Gadakana Depot, without making any intermediate stops.
“Police conducted alcohol tests using breath analyzers of the captain (driver) and guide (conductor) which was found non-alcoholic. Unfortunately, the guide was physically assaulted by members of the biker group at the depot during discussion and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. A formal FIR has been registered in the designated Police Station,” it said.
Senior officers of CRUT are engaged in discussions with the crew at Master Canteen and Gadakana Depot who are staging a protest over concern regarding their safety and security, it added.