AGARTALA, Oct 4 (TIWN): Atlast after 14 days Agartala to Khowai road transport service begins on Wednesday, 1 day ahead of Laxmi Puja. During Durga puja the bus service and other vehicle service had been suspended as the drivers declined to go through this way. The security threat of the drivers were felt since Sep-6, when 2 persons were injured by local tribal people (allegedly with motive) issuing an road accident and on Sep-20 when Santanu was murdered along with another driver had been missing since 14 days. However, finally on Wednesday the bus and other vehicle services have begun, although tight security was provided to the drivers and the passengers.

It was on Sep-6 that some Bengali people were attacked by locals at Chankhala (on Khowai way) on Wednesday evening that left 2 people seriously injured.

Agitating over the issue the bus service was fully halted on Thursday morning as no driver were ready to go through the Khowai way.

Surprisingly the victims who were beaten had no link with the anger of the tribal people at there. On Sep-6 morning, Radhanagar located bus station was paralyzed when all drivers denied to go through the Khowai way as they are 'assaulted', 'beaten' without any reason with a slogan of ‘Bangali-Khedao’.

Talking to the bus drivers agitating at Radhanagar, they said on Sep-7, “On Thursday night we stopped our bus (bearing number TR01A 1312) at Chankhala seeing a massive jam at there. Asking the locals they told a bike and a vehicle had hit each-other and due to that the jam was occurred. But suddenly a huge group of tribal locals attacked on the bus out of anger saying ‘No Bengali people are allowed in our area. Burn all Bengalis".

The bus driver and another person in the bus were injured in the incident. Driver Sanjoy Deb and Mithan Deb are now undergoing medical treatments.

While agitating the driver said, “Due to pathetic road condition already bus business has been down. Still we are travelling via that 3^rd class road. Why? To get beaten like this?”

 “In front of police we were beaten on Sep-6. They raised slogan to burnt Bengali. In front of police they were burning vehicles but police remained  silent”, said the driver.

Later, on Sep-20 it was the same issue that "In front of police Santanu was killed".

With all these the bus service and other vehicle service was halted for long 14 days that has resumed from Wednesday. Security have been provided to the drivers.