Maharashtra suspends buses to Karnataka after attacks

MUMBAI - The Maharashtra State Transport Corporation Monday evening suspended all bus services to Karnataka following attacks on at least four of its vehicles during the day, an official said.

All services operating to northern western and central Karnataka regions from different parts of the state shall remain suspended Tuesday and Wednesday, the official said.

The move has been prompted by the burning of a Hubli-Mumbai bus and stone pelting on three other buses at various areas allegedly by some miscreants owing allegiance to anti-Marathi lobby in the neighbouring state.

Transport Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil denied knowledge of the development saying he was attending assembly proceedings till late this evening.

In an apparently retaliatory action, some alleged Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists burnt a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation bus which was parked in the Thane bus depot Monday evening.

There were no casualties in both the incidents, officials said.

In a late night development, some MNS activists stopped a KSRTC bus near Pune and raised anti-Karnataka slogans.