Kundara (Kollam): A man travelling on the footboard of a KSRTC bus bit the conductor and injured him after being asked to get inside the vehicle. Passengers restrained the accused and handed him over to the police. The injured conductor has been identified as Vinu, a native of Mukhathala and attached to the Kollam depot. The accused, Arun (28) from Iravipuram, was arrested by Kundara police.

The incident occurred around 11.10 pm on Thursday on a fast passenger bus travelling from Kollam to Madurai. Arun boarded the bus from the Kollam bus stand but continued travelling on the footboard without moving inside. Noticing that he was obstructing other passengers from boarding and alighting, the conductor asked him to step inside the bus.

The accused claimed that the bus was crowded and refused to move. Even after the rush eased, he did not enter the bus. When the conductor informed him that he could not continue the journey without moving inside, Arun allegedly became agitated and attacked him.

He reportedly abused, assaulted and bit the conductor on the face. Passengers intervened and rescued the conductor. The bus was taken to the Kundara station, where the accused was detained and handed over to the police.

Vinu, who sustained an injury on his forehead, was first taken to Kundara Taluk Hospital and later shifted to the District Hospital for treatment. The bus resumed journey only after another conductor arrived, causing a huge delay.