Bhindranwale poster row: As Himachal buses come under attack in Punjab, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says Bhagwant Mann has vowed to act
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday referred to the people of Punjab as ‘elder brothers’ and said steps were being taken to ensure the safety of Himachal Road Transport Corporation buses.
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's remarks came on a day when the Himachal government decided to indefinitely suspend bus services on certain routes to Hoshiarpur district in Punjab. (Source: File) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Wednesday that his counterpart in Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, had assured him that strict action would be taken against the accused who attacked Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses in his state. Mann assured him of full cooperation in the matter and a discussion would also be held at the director general of police level between the two states, Sukhu added.
Sukhu’s remarks came on a day when the Himachal government decided to indefinitely suspend bus services on certain routes to Hoshiarpur district in Punjab. The decision was taken following reports of HRTC buses being attacked in Punjab, a fallout of recent incidents in Manali and Manikaran, where clashes occurred after locals objected to tourists from Punjab displaying flags bearing the image of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale on their two-wheelers. A pro-Khalistani militant, Bhindranwale was killed during Operation Blue Star at the Golden Temple in Amritsar in June 1984.
A senior HRTC officer said that during the last 48 hours, at least five HRTC buses were attacked in Punjab. Posters of Bhindranwale were stuck on two of these buses, he said, adding that the drivers and conductors of these vehicles removed the posters.
Giving a detailed statement in the Vidhan Sabha during the ongoing budget session, Sukhu referred to the people of Punjab as “elder brothers” and said that sometimes, youngsters get distracted and indulge in unnecessary acts.
“People of Punjab are our elder brothers. Earlier, Himachal Pradesh was also a part of Maha-Punjab (Joint Punjab). We have faith in all Sikh Gurus. People of Punjab are our brothers, and they frequently travel to Himachal. We have taken several steps to ensure the safety of Himachal roadways buses and passengers travelling out of the state,” Sukhu said.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who also holds the transport portfolio, termed the attack on Himachal roadways buses in Punjab as a “very unfortunate incident”. He said, “Yesterday, upon receiving information about an attack on one of our roadways buses near Kharar in Mohali, we immediately deployed another bus to bring back the stranded passengers, along with the driver and conductor. We are taking all necessary steps to protect our properties in other states.”
Agnihotri further mentioned that one of the reasons behind such incidents in Kullu district, particularly in Manikaran, is the ₹50 entry fee imposed on two-wheeler riders from other states. “This fee is being charged under the Special Area Development Authority (SADA) Manikaran. I believe the chief minister will definitely look into this matter,” he added.
In the past five days, at least two incidents each were reported in Manali and Manikaran, where locals objected to flags bearing Bhindranwale’s image, carried on motorcycles by people entering Himachal from Punjab. At least two FIRs have been registered in Kullu district in connection with these incidents.
On Tuesday, a Himachal roadways bus was attacked and vandalised near Kharar in Mohali district. On the same day, Himachal Pradesh Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur raised concerns over reports that people were entering the state from Punjab with flags displaying Bhindranwale’s image.
Share
