KOLLAM: The KSRTC buses operating in Thannithode, a remote village under the Konni block panchayat in Pathanamthitta, have been facing attacks from the private busmen of late.
The KSRTC had recently introduced services in the Thannithode-Patha-namthitta– Thekkuthode– Karumanthode– Seethathode route which was the monopoly of private buses.
There were frequent disputes between the crew of the two services, and the KSRTC employees, including female staff, were threatened by the rivals, it is alleged.
Two KSRTC buses, a Thrissur fast passenger and an ordinary bus to Pathanamthitta, parked in the bus stand at Thannithode were vandalised by miscreants last week. The local residents say that the private busmen are backed by politicians. The police is yet to take any action against the culprits. Four KSRTC buses, including two long- distance buses, operate along the Thannithode route.
“The police is investigating into the attacks on the KSRTC buses. Those who have given statements could not identify the miscreants, as they just said two people were seen fleeing. The arrest could be made only after obtaining proper evidence,” Beena Beegum, SI, Thannithode, told this newspaper.
Panchayat president M.V. Ambili told this newspaper, “A day before the attack, both the KSRTC and private bus employees had entered into a verbal bout. A woman conductor with the KSRTC was insulted, but no action was taken by the police. The public need both private and KSRTC buses. The CPM local secretary in the area is the manager of the private buses, and hence it is alleged that he is behind the attacks. All these should be found out by the police,” he said.
