CALANGUTE: The Panjim-Calangute bus owners association has alleged that a new bus owner has been using strong-arm tactics to intimidate drivers and conductors of other buses leading to an unsafe atmosphere due to which bus trips are being affected.
In a complaint filed before the Calangute police on Monday, association president Sudesh Kalangutkar stated that there are 17 members in their association. However, a bus operator identified as Nitesh Haldankar, a resident of Caisua, Bardez, recently purchased a bus from one of their members to operate on the Panjim-Calangute route.
Kalangutkar claimed that once Haldankar started plying on the route he would constantly abuse and intimidate drivers and conductors of other buses leading to an unhealthy and unsafe situation at both the Panjim and Calangute bus stands.
He also alleged that some of the drivers and conductors were also assaulted by Haldankar’s employees during the weekend. He said despite having lodged two complaints earlier, police have failed to take any action.
Following the alleged assault on the weekend, bus owners met Calangute PI Paresh Naik on Monday and urged him to arrest the culprits.
