Pune: Shiv Sena (UBT) workers staged a protest in Pune's Swargate area on Saturday night, blackening buses with Karnataka number plates. This action came in response to the alleged assault of a Marathi-speaking bus driver in Chitradurga, Karnataka, for not speaking in Kannada.

According to the police, action will be taken against those responsible for vandalising the buses.

"As soon as we got to know that Shiv Sena (UBT) workers were going to come here and do something, we immediately dispatched force. They were successful in spraying black colour on one bus. Not much damage has been done," said DCP Smartana Patil.

"The accused have been detained by the police, and legal action will follow... 4-5 people have been detained, but others will be identified soon on the basis of video recordings," she added.

MSRTC suspends bus services to Karnataka

On Friday night, a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) driver was assaulted while on duty in Chitradurga, Karnataka, according to Abhijit Bhosale, CPRO of MSRTC.

The incident occurred on the night of February 21, when a bus travelling from Bangalore to Mumbai was stopped two kilometres behind Chitradurga. Activists from a Karnataka-based organisation allegedly attacked the bus and assaulted the driver, Bhaskar Jadhav, who was on duty, said MSRTC.

Following the incident, MSRTC cancelled bus services from Kolhapur to Karnataka.

"As per the directions of Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, ST buses going from Kolhapur to Karnataka state have been cancelled for an indefinite period for the safety of passengers and employees travelling in Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation buses," said Bhosale.

Maharashtra Transport Minister reassures injured Driver

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik spoke to the injured driver, Shri Bhaskar Jadhav, over the phone and reassured him, stating, "You are not alone in this matter; our government stands firmly behind you."

Sarnaik also emphasised that unless the Karnataka government takes a clear stance on the issue and engages in discussions with the Maharashtra government, ST bus services in the affected area will remain suspended.

ANI