Days after four men robbed passengers on a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus plying to Karnataka, the Kerala SRTC has now asked the bus drivers not to stop the bus at secluded spots.
The Managing Director (MD) issued the order in the wake of the robbery that happened in the wee hours of August 31, a senior Kerala SRTC official told TNM.
Saying that the directive applied to drivers of inter-state buses, the official said, "This particular incident, though isolated, happened because the driver had stopped the bus at a deserted place. Now, to avoid such a situation in the future, the MD has asked the drivers to only stop at places where people are present."
Deccan Chronicle, who accessed the circular, reported a portion of the circular on Tuesday.
“It has come to the notice that anti-social elements are targeting the buses stopping at deserted areas outside the state. The crew should ensure that the buses are not halted at secluded places. Even under emergency circumstances, they can stop at bus stations besides functioning petrol pumps and restaurants only."
At around 2:30 AM on August 31, when the bus staff went to relieve themselves, four men got into the bus and threatened the passengers to hand over their cash and valuables. The attackers came on two bikes.
Sensing trouble, the driver rushed back but by that time the robbers had fled. The bus was brought to Channapatna Police Station.
Recounting the incident, the conductor of the bus Mujeeb had then told media:
"They (the robbers) spoke in Kannada. We have no idea who they are. They might be between 23 to 25 years of age. We have earlier heard that in that area such incidents happen. They kept the knives at the neck of some people and took their valuables. We were helpless as most of the passengers were sleeping. Suddenly it happened. The driver and I had gone out to relieve ourselves. Suddenly they entered the bus."
After a case was registered, the police managed to nab all the four culprits.