Narrow escape for students as school bus vandalised

Gurugram: Despite a Supreme Court order stating that the film would be released across the nation on Thursday, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmaavat' might be less than welcome in Gurugram.

Even as Gurugram Police continue making arrests in the case of ransacking of commercial units in Raheja Mall against the film's release, around 50 men reportedly belonging to Karni Sena on Wednesday resorted to hooliganism and torched a Haryana Roadways bus in Bhondsi near Gurugram.

The most shocking incident, however, came from Gurugram city centre on Wednesday, where vandals threw stones at a GD Goenka school bus carrying students and teachers.

Luckily, swift action by the bus driver led to all occupants of the bus escaping unhurt.

The district police apprehended 24 people for violence across the district, including 13 people for torching the Haryana Roadways bus.

Protests were also seen in Manesar, where protestors tried to march to Sohna. Cops, however, prevented from entering the city centre.

With the Gurugram administration failing to rein in the violence, rumours began circulating that all restaurants and pubs were advised to close shop from Wednesday evening.

However, Gurugram deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh, in a statement on Wednesday evening said, "No order regarding closure of pubs and bars from 7 PM onwards today has been issued by the District Administration.

"The clarification is being issued due to related news being circulated in media. Situation is peaceful and schools, colleges and offices to open normally on January 25."

However, taking no risk to lives of students, most schools in Gurugram till primary level have decided to declare holiday on Thursday.

On Tuesday evening, Singh had ordered imposition of Section 144 around 200 metres of city multiplexes to prevent untoward incidents. Large teams of Gurugram police officials, accompanied by Haryana police commandos, have been stationed for protection of malls in Golf Course road, Sohna road and MG road.

"It is a big challenge for us and we are up to it. We will abide by the Supreme Court orders and those indulging violence will be dealt with firmly," said Anil Kumar Rao, ACP DLF area.

Meanwhile, Gurugram Police Commissioner Sandeep Khirwar, along with senior officials, took a security survey. "We want to assure people that police will ensure their safety and they must not be affected by unverified rumours.," said Khirwar. In the past, the city escaped the wrath of several protests, including the Jat quota agitation and protests over the arrests of self-styled godmen Rampal and Gurmeet Ram Rahim.