Two passengers were injured after stones were pelted at a North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) bus at Kagal on the Maharashtra - Karnataka border on Tuesday morning. Following this, the KSRTC has cancelled services to Kolhapur and neighbouring areas as a precautionary measure.
“The passengers were safely shifted to a private bus and the injured were treated. We have not withdrawn all service. Long-route to places such as Shridi and Pune are still operating,” said Umashamkar S., KSRTC chairman.
While there are reports of striking Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) employees being involved in the incident, the KSRTC chairman refrained from commenting on this. “We are closely watching the situation and are in touch with the MSRTC officials,” he said and added that the MSRTC had requested additional services for Deepavali and depending on the development, the KSRTC would take a call on the same.
NWKRTC officials in the Belagavi division said the injured were treated at the Nippani taluk hospital. They added that the striking employees of MSRTC were reportedly upset at the KSRTC providing bus services, while they were striking. Over one lakh MSRTC employees are striking, bringing public transport in the neighbouring state to a halt.