Karnal, Oct 18 Two men have been rounded up for allegedly throwing stones at a Jammu and Kashmir-bound bus following a dispute in Haryana’s Karnal district, leaving a passenger and a dhaba employee injured, police said on Sunday.
The incident drew a reaction from Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who said his office had taken up the matter with the Haryana government.
Abdullah said the Haryana administration had assured prompt and stringent action in accordance with the law.
The J&K Government stands with the affected passengers and is closely monitoring the situation, he said in a post on his official X handle.
The incident occurred around 11.30 pm on Saturday at the parking area of Divine Star Dhaba in Karnal, Inspector General of Police (Karnal Range) Ashwin Shenvi said.
According to Shenvi, two youths arrived at the spot in a car. The bus, travelling from Delhi to Srinagar, also stopped in the dhaba’s parking area.
While attempting to reverse and move ahead, the youths allegedly hit the bus, triggering a verbal altercation that escalated into a physical fight. Some bus passengers and dhaba employees also joined the confrontation, police said.
During the altercation, the two youths allegedly threw stones at the bus, breaking its windowpanes and damaging seats inside the vehicle.
A passenger and a dhaba employee sustained injuries, Shenvi said, adding that the bus left for its destination around 1.30 am.
Shenvi, said the stone attack on the bus stemmed from a parking dispute and was not a hate crime. He urged the public not to believe rumours on social media.
Earlier, no formal complaint was made and the bus continued its journey to Srinagar, police said.
Police later registered a First Information Report (FIR) at Butana police station after the manager of the dhaba filed a complaint.
Both — Mohit and Sawan, residents of Karnal — have been rounded up for questioning. Police took the car into custody. Further legal proceedings are underway.
Shenvi urged people to remain calm and maintain peace and harmony while police investigate the matter.
(PTI News)
