HP restricts bus services to Punjab

The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to restrict its bus service to violence-hit Punjab after after two of its buses were torched in the arson."We have stopped HRTC services to Punjab particularly in disturbed Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar since yesterday after our two buses were torched in the violence and over half-a-dozen other buses damaged," Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) managing director TC Janartha told PTI today.
   
The drivers have been told to park their buses in the department's workshops in Punjab, he added. Janartha said two HRTC buses were torched by rioters in Jalandhar and Phillaur on Sunday night and over half-a-dozen other buses damaged in violence at different places there.
    
Around 40 HRTC buses ply to these districts everyday and stoppage of services has hit the travellers hard. Janartha said a decision on resuming services will be taken only after the situation improves in Punjab. Meanwhile, an alert has been sounded in the hill state
in view of disturbance in the neighbouring state.
    
All the DIGs and SPs have been told to remain alert to ward off any incident spilling over from neighbouring state, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) SR Mardi told PTI. Additional police forces have been made available to the police stations in the border areas of Punjab, he said adding situation in HP is normal.