On August 1 this year, some explosive material being carried in the rear portion of an APSRTC bus went off near Dumuku village of Anantagiri mandal in the Visakhapatnam Agency area.
Though there were no casualties, it put the police on the tenterhooks, as this was the first time such an incident had occurred in a RTC bus. Preliminary investigation suggested traces of potassium nitrate, a sought-after explosive material by the Maoists. The investigation team also found shreds of wires and pieces of batteries and detonators.
The police suspect the consignment was for the Maoists and the APSRTC bus, which is normally not checked, was being used to ferry the material.
Advice to conductors
“To keep a tab on the buses, we have suggested installation of CCTV cameras. We have also asked the conductors to take the additional responsibility of briefly scanning suspicious baggage and unattended cargo,” said SP (Visakhapatnam Rural) Rahul Dev Sharma.
Following a meeting between officials of the APSRTC and the police, the State transport undertaking is considering setting up of CCTV cameras at various bus stations and in a few Telugu Velugu buses that are operated in the Visakha Agency.
Areas such Araku, Chintapalle, Paderu, G. Madugula, Munchingput, and GK Veedhi will be the focus areas. Sources say the cameras will also help the police keep track of the Maoist movement and ganja smugglers.
It is learnt the RTC has put up a proposal and is awaiting the approval of higher authorities.
