Kollam: The CPM observed hartal in several panchayats here on Thursday after private bus staff manhandled Plus-One students over ticket concession issues.
The students of Anjalumoodu GHSS were allegedly denied concessional tickets and the students questioned it, which provoked the staff who beaten them up.
The staff in custody also attempted an attack on motor vehicle inspector V. S. Vinod while they were taken to a court in Kollam on Thursday.
The ‘Archana’ bus operating along the Kollam – Ashtamudi route allegedly denied ticket concession. The students, claiming the concession to be their right, questioned the bus staff and resorted to complain against them. They also blocked a trip of the bus in protest.
About ten members of the bus staff later attacked the students in public, severely injuring them. Rishi, Dani, Rafeeq, Melvin and Muhammad Rafi were injured in the attack.
Rafi’s left eye was seriously damaged in the attack and is under treatment at a private hospital in Mathilil.
Students Federation of India, which later took up the issue, alleged that most of the bus staff on the Ashtamudi – Kollam route were criminals and called a hartal in solidarity with the students.
Anjalumoodu Police arrested five persons including Deepu, Simon, Prasanth, Ajith Raj, and Anoop, who pushed away the MVI, Vinod, while being produced before the court.
Steps have been taken to cancel the licences of the driver and conductor of the bus. The permit of the bus also will be cancelled as punitive action.
The Thrikkadavoor, Thrikkaruva, and Panayam panchayats in Anjalumoodu observed the shutdown.
Student unions also staged a sit-in protest blocking the road. Most of the shops remained closed.
