Police in civvies to man Thakkar Bazaar bus stand

NASHIK: Police have assured the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) authorities that they would deploy personnel in civil dress at the bus stand at Thakkar Bazaar and pick up all agents of private transport operators that enter the facility.
"We met the commissioner of police and requested their intervention in the bus stand as far as the security of people and the staff was considered.The police officials have assured that they would place their officials in plainclothes and pick up all the agents that enter the bus stand," Yamini Joshi, MSRTC divisional controller (Nashik Division) said.
The agents of the tourist agencies cannot enter the bus stand to look out for passengers. Besides, the private buses cannot be parked within a 200-m of the radius of the bus stand. Despite that on Sunday, an agent of the private tourist operator barged into the bus stand and when challenged by a conductor of the MSRTC, he threatened of dire consequences.
The case was registered with the Sarkarwada police station against the agent. The MSRTC administration took the matter seriously, as this was not the first time that there was such violence by agents - and to this extent.
"For quite some time there were verbal clashes between staff and the agents and the same was reported to the police. In the year 2013 and beginning of 2014 there were issues when the MSRTC officials were assaulted. Even those cases were reported to the police. But this was the first time that an agent had used a knife and threatened the conductor of dire consequences," the MSRTC official said, adding taking the matter seriously the issue was raised with the police.
When asked what about the buses that were parked in the vicinity of the stand, the officer said that the issue would be raised with the Regional Transport Office authorities soon and also with the vice-chairman and managing director soon.
"The issue was discussed with the police that has promised action. But more effective action would be with the help of the RTO authorities. Hence we are planning to meet. Besides we will also approach VCMD of the MSRTC for effective solution to the matter," the officer said.
The police help will be a welcome one for the commuters who are harassed by the agents when they go to the bus stand.
"Every time we go to the stand there are at least three to four agents on the platform calling the passengers. This happens despite the police personnel manning the 'police check post' in the stand," said Manish Utpat, a frequent traveller to Pune.