BBP V condemns 'assault' on Assamese student in bus

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike announced its support today, Monday, April 1, for the Assamese student who reportedly faced assault by Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) staff.

A member of the Bus Prayanikara Vedike, questioned the circumstances around the incident.

"The student boarded the bus with the BMTC checking inspector. How could he get the ticket immediately after boarding? If he hadn't purchased a ticket, they could have fined him," they told reporters.

"We strive to encourage public transport usage, particularly buses. The reported assault on a student unfamiliar with the Kannada language and from another state is unacceptable," he added.

What transpired?

The incident occurred on March 25. Kamrul Hoque, an Assamese student at Azim Premji University in Bengaluru, filed a complaint with Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayanand on March 26.

Hoque claimed that BMTC staff harassed him and confiscated Rs 450 from him.

"While travelling from Bellandur Gate to Sarjapur Circle at 6 pm, they physically attacked me. Being from Assam and not speaking Kannada, they took advantage of my situation," he recounted.

"Never did I anticipate that a routine journey would turn into a distressing experience, making me feel completely helpless and vulnerable in Bengaluru. As they realised I was from Assam and couldn't communicate in Kannada, the ticket inspectors saw me as an easy target, further escalating their unfair treatment and assault," Hoque stated.

"After I boarded the bus and took a seat, BMTC ticket inspectors boarded at the same stop. Their approach was sudden, and in moments, they demanded my ticket. I tried explaining that I had just gotten on and hadn't had a chance to buy a ticket from the conductor. However, they paid no heed," he detailed.

In response to the public outcry on social media, BMTC announced that they would conduct an investigation and take appropriate measures regarding the incident.

In another recent incident involving the BMTC, on March 26 a conductor named Honnappa Nagappa Agasar allegedly assaulted a female passenger from another state during a ticket altercation.

He was later suspended by the BMTC with immediate effect after an investigation.