New Delhi: A potentially tragic incident was averted in Bihars Gopalganj district today when a mob attempted to set a school bus on fire during a Bharat Bandh protest. The bus, carrying several children, was targeted by protesters demonstrating against a recent Supreme Court ruling on reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs). The timely intervention of local police and district administration prevented the situation from escalating into a disaster.Immediate police action prevents tragedyThe shocking incident unfolded when a mob armed with sticks surrounded the yellow school bus. In a video, one man was seen igniting a tyre directly under the bus, while several other burning tyres littered the road, blocking the vehicles path. The tense situation was defused by Gopalganj police, who quickly arrived at the scene and dispersed the crowd.Watch the video here:गोपालगंज में भारत बंद के दौरान स्कूली बस में आग लगाने की कोशिश, बस के अंदर थे 20 बच्चे ,ड्रोन से हो रही उपद्रवियों की पहचान#Bihar #Biharnews #Gopalganj @Gopalganj_News_ pic.twitter.com/1rg5nMr7pB— Gopalganj News (@Gopalganj_News_) August 21, 2024Gopalganj Superintendent of Police Swarn Prabhat confirmed that a high alert had been issued in the town in anticipation of unrest due to the Bharat Bandh. He stated that drone cameras had been deployed to monitor the situation, leading to the identification of several troublemakers. I have directed the police station to file FIRs against those identified and to ensure that those who attempted to set the bus on fire are jailed, Prabhat said.Mixed response to Bharat Bandh in GopalganjDespite isolated incidents of violence, the Bharat Bandh call elicited a mixed response in Gopalganj. While some vehicles continued to ply the roads, protesters managed to cause disruptions on National Highway 27 and along railway tracks.The Bharat Bandh was organized by several Dalit groups in opposition to a recent Supreme Court verdict. These groups argue that the ruling undermines the landmark Indira Sawhney case, which set the precedent for reservation policies in India.
