Hooliganism by youth on running bus

By K. T. Sangameswaran

CHENNAI, AUG. 9. Despite police claims of ``intensified vigil'' against eve-teasing and hooliganism, unruly behaviour inside running buses seems to continue unchecked.

Passengers of an overcrowded MTC bus on route number 27D (MNH 452), towards Foreshore Estate, had the worst taste of organised hooliganism by a group of youths on Thursday. The problem started near the ICF bus stand when the vehicle halted for some time to enable the conductor to complete issuing the tickets.

Apparently, the youngsters ``got into the mood'' thanks to a remark by the bus driver about television serials and how women sat glued in front of television sets to watch the programmes. When the driver sang a song to get over the boredom, the youths shouted in chorus. They then proceeded to hit the roof of the vehicle with their hands, clapping, shouting and singing. The youths also blocked the entrance.

Those inside, particularly women, put up with the nuisance and it was a tough time for them to board or alight from the bus. When the bus reached the Dasaprakash stop, the driver got down from the vehicle and asked the youths travelling on the footboard to get inside. But they did not and the bus resumed the journey. At the Egmore bus stop also, the driver's efforts to persuade them to get inside failed. Even a pungent remark by an elderly woman passenger did not yield the desired result.

Passengers complain that the problem is being noticed on several MTC routes and the Corporation authorities and police do not take any action.

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Section  : Southern States
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