Omar Abdullah Condemns Attack on Srinagar-Bound Bus in Haryana
A luxury bus traveling to Srinagar was attacked in Haryana, prompting strong reactions from Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister.
A luxury sleeper bus was attacked near Kurukshetra, Haryana, with around 40 passengers onboard.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has demanded strict action against the attackers.
The incident is being described as a potential hate crime by political representatives.
In a troubling incident late Friday night, a luxury sleeper bus traveling from Delhi to Srinagar was reportedly attacked while stopped at a roadside dhaba in Haryana. The bus, operated by Star World Ventures and carrying approximately 40 passengers, was targeted with stones and bricks, resulting in broken windows and damaged tail lights. Many passengers were asleep during the assault, which has raised significant safety concerns.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has taken immediate action by contacting his counterpart in Haryana, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, as well as the Haryana Police. Abdullah expressed his dismay over the attack, stating, "This unfortunate incident should never have taken place," and urged the Haryana government to apprehend those responsible to prevent future occurrences. His office has confirmed that they are closely monitoring the situation and maintaining communication with Haryana authorities.
Preliminary reports indicate that the attack began when a group of unidentified individuals verbally assaulted the bus driver. Following this, they escalated to throwing stones and bricks at the vehicle. Disturbing videos circulating on social media depict the chaos inside the bus, including scenes of broken glass and an elderly Kashmiri passenger who sustained injuries during the attack.
The owner of the bus service reported that the assailants initially confronted the driver before leaving, only to return on motorcycles to carry out the attack. Allegations have surfaced that the attackers threatened the bus driver, claiming that vehicles registered in Kashmir would not be permitted to operate in Haryana. However, this assertion has not been independently verified.
Political representatives from Jammu and Kashmir have condemned the incident, with National Conference spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar labeling it a potential hate crime. Waheed Para from the PDP also voiced his outrage and called for the immediate arrest of the perpetrators. As investigations continue, the implications of this attack on inter-state relations and passenger safety remain a pressing concern for both regions.
