Bus operations between Karnataka and Maharashtra were halted after 7 pm on Saturday, following tensions over an attack on an NWKRTC conductor in Belagavi. The altercation began when he asked a boy and girl to converse in Kannada, leading to an assault by their associates.
Authorities detained four individuals, including a minor, on Saturday. Meanwhile, the girl filed a POCSO case against the conductor, sparking protests from Kannada activists, who accused the police of political bias and staged a demonstration at Marihal police station.
Due to security concerns, NWKRTC and MSRTC suspended inter-state bus services. While Karnataka buses only ran up to Kognoli, Maharashtra buses stopped at the same point. The affected routes included 90 buses from Belagavi, 125 from Chikkodi, 20 MSRTC buses in Belagavi, and 70 in Chikkodi.
Conductor Mahadev Hukkeri and driver Khatal Momin were attacked at Balekundri after the passengers allegedly called for reinforcements. Initially, police downplayed the incident but later arrested Maruti Turmuri, Balu Gojgekar, Rahul Naidu, and a minor after a viral video surfaced.
Kannada activists accused the police of registering a false complaint under political pressure. Activist Ayesha Sanadi criticized the handling of the case, alleging discrimination against Kannadigas. Meanwhile, eight activists were arrested for inking an MSRTC driver’s face in Hiriyur.
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Bus Conductor Attacked in Belagavi Over Language Dispute
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