SRINAGAR: The stone-pelting incident involving a Srinagar-bound bus in Haryana’s Karnal district drew condemnation from Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the BJP and the Peoples Conference, even as police said preliminary investigation suggested that the incident stemmed from a parking dispute and had not revealed a hate crime angle.
Two persons, identified as Mohit and Sawan, both residents of Karnal district, have been detained for questioning, while the car allegedly involved in the incident has been seized, police said on Sunday.
The incident occurred around 10 pm on October 17 near Divine Star Dhaba, where the bus, travelling from Delhi to Srinagar with around 40 passengers on board, had stopped in the parking area.
According to Karnal Police, an argument broke out between the occupants of a private car and the bus driver after the vehicles allegedly came into contact while the car was being manoeuvred. The dispute escalated into a physical altercation, during which stones were allegedly hurled at the bus, damaging its windowpanes and seats.
A passenger travelling in the bus and a dhaba employee sustained injuries, police said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said his office had taken up the incident with the Haryana government, which 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,” Abdullah said in a post on X. He had earlier urged his Haryana counterpart Nayab Singh Saini to ensure that those responsible were identified and action taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Jammu and Kashmir BJP and the Peoples Conference also condemned the attack and demanded strict action against those involved.
BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur said targeting people because of their Kashmiri identity was unacceptable, adding that Kashmiris should be able to travel, work and earn their livelihood anywhere in the country without fear or discrimination. He called for an impartial investigation and strict legal action against those responsible.
Police said no formal complaint had been lodged immediately after the incident, as the parties had reportedly reached a settlement and the bus continued its journey towards Srinagar.
A case was subsequently registered at Butana Police Station after the manager of Divine Star Hotel and Dhaba filed a complaint. Police said a team had reached the spot after receiving information about the altercation and found the bus’s windowpanes broken.
Inspector General of Police, Karnal Range, Ashwin Shenvi, said the preliminary investigation indicated that the incident arose from a parking dispute and had not revealed evidence of hostility towards people from any particular state or region.
Police appealed to the public not to circulate rumours or share unverified information on social media, urging people to maintain peace and harmony as the investigation continues.
