PHOTO: REUTERS
LAHORE: Train and bus services between Pakistan and India have been suspended temporarily following deadly communal riots in a north Indian state, officials said on Sunday.
Thousands of troops with shoot-on-sight orders were deployed on Saturday in the state of Haryana after week-long protests turned violent, with rioters setting fire to homes and railway stations and blocking highways. Police have confirmed at least 12 fatalities thus far.
A senior official at the Pakistan Tourism and Development Corporation (PTDC) confirmed the Dosti Bus Service between Lahore and New Delhi has been suspended for an unspecified time.
The decision has been taken after assessing the fluid security situation in Haryana, he added. “Twenty passengers, who had booked seats for Monday, have been notified of the suspension of the service.” He said it was premature to say when the service would resume.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Railways also suspended the train service between Lahore and New Delhi on the request of the Indian authorities.
Pakistan Railways’ Chief Executive Officer Javed Anwar confirmed the cancellation of the biweekly service of Samjhauta Express, saying Indian officials had requested their Pakistani counterparts to suspend the service due to the ongoing riots in Haryana.
“They [Indians] requested us to cancel the train service, as there are violent riots taking place in Indian Punjab and the Indian authorities cannot guarantee the safety of passengers,” he was quoted as saying by the Indian media.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2016.
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