Munish Sood
Mandi: In yet another targeted attack, unidentified miscreants vandalized four Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses in Amritsar, smearing them with black paint and defacing them with pro-Khalistan slogans. The incident has intensified security concerns and further strained relations between Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
HRTC Buses Under Attack
Over the past week, multiple attacks on HRTC buses have been reported in Punjab. On March 18, a bus on the Chandigarh-Hamirpur route was attacked near Mohali, its windows shattered and separatist slogans painted on its exterior.
A similar incident occurred near Kharar, close to Ropar, where another bus was vandalized. The most recent act of vandalism took place at the Amritsar bus stand, where four parked HRTC buses from the Bilaspur, Una, Dehra, and Hamirpur depots had their front windshields broken, with “Khalistan” written on them in Punjabi.
Following these incidents, Punjab police have registered an FIR against unidentified miscreants, launching an investigation to apprehend those responsible. Two individuals, Gagandeep Singh of Muktsar Sahib and Hardeep Singh of Ropar, have already been arrested in connection with the Mohali attack.
Root Cause: Bhindranwale Poster Controversy
The attacks stem from recent tensions over flags bearing the image of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a controversial figure linked to the Khalistan movement. The situation escalated when tourists from Punjab were reportedly asked to remove such flags from their vehicles in Manali, Himachal Pradesh.
This triggered protests in Punjab, with some groups allegedly resorting to vandalism in retaliation.
Political Reactions and Security Measures
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed strong concern over the repeated targeting of HRTC buses, urging his Punjab counterpart, Bhagwant Mann, to take decisive action. Sukhu stressed that while religious sentiments must be respected, law and order cannot be compromised.
In response, Bhagwant Mann has assured strict action against those responsible, instructing law enforcement agencies to enhance security at bus terminals and along major highways connecting the two states. Border districts have also seen increased surveillance to prevent further incidents.
With tensions running high, both governments are working to de-escalate the situation and ensure the safety of passengers traveling between the two states.
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