Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (RD/GA)

Mangalore, Jun 20: District Union of Bus Employees staged a protest against assaulting the driver of a city bus, by stalling all the city buses that ply on Suratkal route, on Wednesday, Jun.20. Several commuters from Suratkal, Mukka, Chelyar, Jokatte and from the neighbourhood of Soorinje faced problems owing to flash strike by bus route numbers, 15, 45, 53, 2A, 2C.  Locals complained that a few city buses have not returned, since they left for Mangalore, in the morning.

The general public were not aware of strike though notices regarding the protest were displayed in few buses from Tuesday June19 night itself. This resulted in innumerable problems to commuters since no service buses ply on Suratkal-Katipalla-Krishnapura route except route numbers 15 and 45. 

Even most of the students too faced difficulties in reacing their school on time. Some of them were forced to walk a long distance to reach schools. However, those commuters travelling between Suratkal-Mangalore on NH 17 did not face many hardships, as hundreds of express buses were plying.  It was the common sight to find passengers waiting at Suratkal, Kulai, Baikampady, to board the buses bound for their destinations.

It is said a driver of private bus plying on the said route was seriously assaulted by timekeepers for arriving late at Rao & Rao Circle on Tuesday June 19.  The assaulted driver Nawaz is a resident of Soorinje and has been admitted to Wenlock Hospital here.

A case has been registered at Bunder police station, in this regard.