Islamists attacked a state transport (ST) bus carrying school students on an excursion in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur. According to reports, stones were pelted on the bus after students chanted Jai Sri Ram and Shivaji Maharaj ki Jai. The incident occurred in Kolhapur’s historic Dussehra Chowk on Wednesday (31 January) evening at around 5.
Most news reports held that the stone was thrown by an ‘unidentified miscreant’ who subsequently fled the scene. When the bus entered the Chowk and school students raised the chants, a man hurled a stone and broke the rear window. Fortunately, none of the school children were hurt in the attack, although the bus suffered some damage.
“When the bus reached Dussehra Chowk, students inside it chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans. Following the chants, a miscreant standing on the road hurled a stone at the bus from the rear side and ran away,” Kolhapur Superintendent of Police (SP) Mahendra Pandit told the media. The SP has announced the lodging of a case and the formation of a police team to investigate and apprehend the accused. The team reviewed CCTV footage from nearby locations to determine the suspect’s identity.
Although no injuries were reported, the school students were visibly disturbed. Moreover, while most reports said there was a lone attacker, Tarun Bharat noted a group of Islamists attacked the bus. One of the teachers spoke to the media. He stated that they had arrived from Nagar Taluka’s Sonewadi. When they arrived at the Chowk to park their vehicle, a mob had gathered at the spot. The mob pelted stones on the bus, damaging the rear window. He added he had no idea why their bus carrying school students were targeted.
It has further come to light that four-wheelers parked alongside the bus were also damaged. It must be mentioned that Islamists often resort to stone pelting as an intimidation tactic. The incident also draws attention to ensuring the safety of school children.
