BUS TORCHED AGAIN IN RAJPUR

2-JUNE-ENG 8

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR----------------------------The police administration's concerns have heightened following the report of a second consecutive incident of a passenger bus being set on fire within the jurisdiction of the Rajpur police station in the district. Late Thursday night, unidentified anti-social elements set ablaze a passenger bus that was parked near a doorway in Katariya village, resulting in the vehicle being completely reduced to ashes. The incident has created an atmosphere of panic in the area, with residents voicing various apprehensions and speculations.

According to reports, the passenger bus—owned by Surendra Singh Yadav, a resident of Kishunipur Madaniya village—has been operating on the Katariya-Buxar route for several years. As was his daily routine, the driver had parked the bus in Katariya village on Thursday evening. Late that night, the bus suddenly caught fire. Upon seeing flames rising, villagers rushed to the scene and attempted to extinguish the fire; however, by that time, the fire had already engulfed the entire bus. In a matter of moments, the bus was completely reduced to ashes.

Locals state that this is the second incident of a bus being set on fire within the last two weeks. The recurring incidents of arson have created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among the people. Villagers believe that the possibility of an old feud or a premeditated conspiracy being behind these incidents cannot be ruled out.

Upon receiving information about the incident, Rajpur Station House Officer (SHO) Niwas Kumar and Sub-Inspector (SI) Subhash Kumar arrived at the scene along with a police force. The police inspected the site, gathered necessary evidence, and have commenced questioning people in the vicinity.

Police officials stated that every aspect of the case is being investigated. The inquiry has been intensified to identify the culprits as well as to ascertain the cause of the fire. The police assert that the case will be solved soon, and appropriate legal action will be taken.

Following this second consecutive incident of arson, anxiety has also risen among bus operators in the region. Locals have demanded that the administration take concrete steps to ensure the speedy arrest of the culprits and to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.