Kerala tourist buses suspend services to Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
Kochi (PTI): The Luxury Bus Owners Association on Sunday announced that they will suspend all interstate services from Kerala to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
In a statement, the Luxury Bus Owners Association, Kerala State Committee said that interstate tourist bus services from Kerala to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka will be suspended from 6 pm, Monday.
Association State President AJ Rijas said the decision was taken after neighbouring states began levying heavy fines, imposing unlawful state-level taxes, and seizing All India Tourist Permit (AITP) buses belonging to Kerala operators.
General Secretary Maneesh Sasidharan said that despite having valid AITPs issued under the Central Government’s Motor Vehicles Act, tourist vehicles from Kerala are being stopped, fined, and detained in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
“For over a year, Tamil Nadu authorities have been collecting tax arbitrarily from Kerala-registered vehicles, causing repeated harassment to operators and passengers. During this period, the Kerala government had taken a very sympathetic and supportive approach, refraining from retaliatory measures in the hope of a cooperative resolution,” the association said.
Many are now afraid to operate interstate services due to the threat of financial loss and vehicle seizure, they said.
The association clarified that this service suspension is not a voluntary protest, but a compelled action taken for the safety of vehicles, drivers, and passengers.
The association has requested the Kerala Transport Minister and the Transport Commissioner to intervene immediately with the Governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, to put an end to these unlawful practices and to ensure uniform implementation of the AITP framework across all southern states.
The association has also written a letter to Kerala Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar to address the issue.
“With timely intervention from the Kerala government and the central authorities, the issue can be resolved amicably and normal interstate tourist operations can resume soon,” the association added.
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Belagavi youth’s murder case projected as road accident, cracked in Uttara Kannada; Three arrested
Karwar: Uttara Kannada police have cracked a murder case in which a Belagavi youth was killed and his body burnt inside a car to make it appear like a road accident.
Addressing a press meet in the city, Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N. said three accused from Old Hubballi have been arrested in connection with the case. The crime was a pre-planned act driven by personal enmity, he said.
The case came to light on April 8 morning when a car (KA-04/MJ-8996) was found completely burnt in a roadside ditch near Talekumbri bus stand in Yellapur. Only charred human remains were found inside the vehicle. Initially, it was suspected to be an accident caused by overspeeding, and a case was registered at Yellapur police station based on a complaint filed by the deceased’s father, Jagannath Dhapale.
However, the father later expressed suspicion that his son’s death was not accidental, prompting a detailed investigation.
Taking the matter seriously, two special teams were formed under the leadership of Yellapur Inspector Ramesh Hanapur. On analysing technical evidence and CCTV footage, police found that it was a planned murder.
The accused have been identified as Abdul Raheem Basheer Ahmed Mujawar (32), Maulasab Bavahan Wada (36) and Dadapeer alias Aftab Mehboob Saab Balasangi (22), all chicken traders from Old Hubballi.
Police have seized the car used in the crime along with two scooters. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody.
Investigations revealed that the accused killed Nitesh Dhapale due to personal enmity and later set the car on fire along with the body to project it as an accident.
SP Deepan M.N. appreciated the efforts of Inspector Ramesh Hanapur, PSIs Rajashekhar Vandali and Siddappa Gudi, and the entire team for solving the complex case.
