AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) today suspended its bus services in northern part of the state, following violent protests by Rajput community members against the release of the film " Padmaavat ", an official said.The bus services were suspended in Mehsana, Patan, Gandhinagar , Sabarkantha and Banaskantha districts till the situation improves, he said.There are two separate routes for north Gujarat - one from Gandhinagar to Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha, and another passes from Mehsana and stretches till Banaskantha district via Patan.According to GSRTC secretary K D Desai, all the buses plying between Ahmedabad and the northern region have been cancelled since last night amid the fear of miscreants making these vehicles as their soft target. "Owing to the attacks on the state buses in some parts of north Gujarat yesterday, we have temporarily suspended our operations for Gandhinagar, Himmatnagar, Mehsana and Banaskantha. The services for other destinations, such as in central and south Gujarat, are on as per the schedule," he said.Desai said though they tried to resume the service in Gandhinagar this morning, some people targeted a bus at a village in the district. "Thus, we have decided to halt the operations. We are in constant touch with police and will resume the service as soon as the situation becomes normal," he added.Desai said the decision was taken while keeping in mind the safety of passengers, as the miscreants were coming on their motorcycles and running away quickly after throwing burning objects on the buses.Following the GSRTC's decision, several passengers were stranded at the state transport depots in the city, as they learnt about the cancellation of routes for north Gujarat upon their arrival here.Last night, the agitators belonging to Rajput community allegedly set ablaze three buses in different parts of Mehsana.

Source: Economic Times January 21, 2018 11:37 UTC