VALPOI
Tension prevailed in the Rive-Golavali area of Thane Panchayat following an alleged attempt to attack a KTC bus driver and conductor with a knife late Thursday night.
The incident has raised serious concerns regarding the safety of KTC employees, and the passenger bus service operating to the area has been suspended.
The suspension of the bus service has caused considerable hardship, particularly to students, employees and regular passengers.
In connection with the incident, bus driver Ajit Gauns and conductor Pratap Gaonkar have lodged a complaint at the Valpoi Police Station. It is learnt that the police have registered the incident as a non-cognisable offence. Residents are upset as no action has reportedly been taken against the suspect so far.
The incident
According to sources, a KTC bus has been travelling to Rive-Golavali in the evening for several years. In the morning, the bus brings students, government employees and other passengers to Valpoi and surrounding areas. The driver and conductor of the bus reportedly spend the night at a temple in the village.
On Thursday, as usual, after the bus reached Rive-Golavali, driver Ajit Gauns and conductor Pratap Gaonkar went to the temple for their night's rest.
At around midnight, a youth allegedly entered the temple and was seen near the sleeping KTC employees.
The driver and conductor suddenly woke up and reportedly objected to his presence, following which the youth left the place. He allegedly returned with a knife, and began arguing with the KTC employees. During the altercation, he allegedly attempted to attack the employees with the knife.
The response
The incident in the middle of the night created commotion in the temple premises. Hearing the noise, residents from the surrounding area woke up and rushed to the spot.
Following the intervention of villagers, the situation was brought under control and a further escalation was avoided.
Following the incident, the KTC employees went to the Valpoi Police Station and reported the incident, while also seeking protection. The next day, Gauns and conductor Pratap Gaonkar lodged a complaint at the police station. They also notified senior KTC officials, who also reportedly contacted the Valpoi Police to seek action in the matter.
The case was reportedly registered as a non-cognisable offence and no action has reportedly been taken against the suspect so far.
Following concerns over the safety of KTC employees, the bus service operating to Rive-Golavali has been suspended. As a result, passengers face considerable difficulties and are forced to depend on alternative modes of transport.
Several villagers have expressed concern over the incident and displeasure that the KTC bus service has been stopped following the incident. They said that the actions of one individual have resulted in people of the entire area being deprived of the bus service.
Residents said KTC drivers and conductors have been staying overnight at the village temple for several years and that no such incident had occurred in the past.
They have demanded that police take serious cognisance of the incident, initiate necessary legal action against the person concerned and provide adequate security to KTC employees.
Residents also demanded that local MLA Deviya Rane immediately intervene in the matter and make efforts to restore the suspended KTC bus service to Rive-Golavali.
