A group of youngsters assaulted an MTC bus conductor with a metal object on Kodambakkam High Road on Monday afternoon.
The group fled immediately after the incident. Traffic was affected for about half an hour as the bus was parked on the road and the police also reached the spot to investigate the incident. The Teynampet police have registered a case and are searching for the youngsters.
Speaking to The Hindu , MTC bus driver R. Pandian said the incident took place around 2.30 p.m. “I was driving 25G, plying between Anna Square and Poonamalee. A bunch of 12 boys boarded the bus near Palmgrove Hotel. One of them climbed on the roof and conductor Ramesh (25) asked him to get down. I stopped the bus by the side of the road,” said Mr. Pandian.
Soon, the youngsters got into an argument with Mr. Ramesh. “They hit him with an L-shaped rod they were carrying with them. Before I could rush to Ramesh’s aid, the group fled the spot,” said Mr. Pandian. He said there was blood flowing from the conductor’s nose.
Mr. Ramesh was first taken to Government Royapettah Hospital and then shifted to Government General Hospital.
“Bus drivers and conductors are in great danger because of some undisciplined youngsters. Many drivers dread driving through routes frequented by college students. We need some protection,” said a representative of a driver’s union.