SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged the Haryana government and police to take strict action against those responsible for an alleged attack on a Srinagar bound luxury sleeper bus near Kurukshetra, after its windows and taillights were damaged in stone pelting.
The bus, operated by Star World Ventures, was travelling from Delhi to Srinagar with around 40 passengers on board when the incident occurred late Friday night. The vehicle, registered in Jammu and Kashmir, had stopped at Divine Star Dhaba in Haryana when it was allegedly targeted by a group of unidentified people.
Abdullah raised the matter with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and the Haryana Police, seeking action against the accused and measures to prevent similar incidents.
Calling the incident unfortunate, Abdullah said it should never have happened. He expressed hope that the Haryana authorities would identify those responsible and ensure that such attacks were not repeated.
The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister also assured the affected passengers of his government’s support, adding that his office was in contact with the Haryana authorities and monitoring the situation.
According to preliminary accounts, the confrontation began when a group of people allegedly abused the bus driver before attacking the vehicle with stones and bricks. Several windows were smashed, while the taillights were also damaged.
The bus operator’s owner alleged that the attackers initially arrived in a car and argued with the driver before leaving and returning on motorcycles to carry out the assault. The owner further claimed that the group threatened to prevent vehicles registered in Jammu and Kashmir from operating in Haryana. These allegations have not been independently verified.
An elderly Kashmiri passenger sustained injuries in the incident. Several passengers, including women and children, were reportedly asleep when the attack occurred, leaving them frightened.
The incident drew condemnation from political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir. National Conference spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar described it as an alleged hate crime, while Peoples Democratic Party leader Waheed Para also condemned the attack and demanded the arrest of those involved.
The incident has raised concerns over the safety of passengers travelling between Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country.
