Shimla/Chandigarh, March 18 — The Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) indefinitely suspended services on 10 routes to Punjab after two of its buses were vandalised in Hoshiarpur and Mohali over the past two days. The incidents followed a recent faceoff over the display of flags featuring Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s photo on motorcycles of tourists from Punjab in Manali.
Deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri, addressing the Himachal Pradesh assembly, said the suspension was a precautionary measure. “We will resume services only after the situation normalises. We are in touch with Punjab authorities. Punjab is our big brother, and we will resolve the issue amicably,” he stated.
HRTC, which operates on 100 routes in Punjab, took the decision after radical Sikh elements reportedly targeted its buses.
Dal Khalsa activists had stopped HRTC vehicles and other Himachal-registered vehicles, pasting Bhindranwale’s photos on them. On March 18, an HRTC bus on the Chandigarh-Hamirpur route was vandalised, while another on the Chamba-Delhi route was attacked with stones in Sirhind, where an FIR was registered.
Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu informed the assembly that he had spoken with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, who assured him of strict action against the miscreants. “DGP-level officers will coordinate to address the issue. Police security will be provided to buses if necessary,” Sukhu said.
Agnihotri, who also holds the transport portfolio, mentioned that drivers and conductors had been instructed to remain alert. “Passenger and staff safety is our priority,” he added.
Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur raised serious concerns in the House, urging visible government action. “Residents of Himachal Pradesh and transport staff are feeling insecure. The government must act decisively,” he said, recalling an incident when Khalistan flags were displayed at the Dharamshala assembly gate. “We arrested the culprits within two days, in Punjab,” he added.
