Following attacks on Himachal Pradesh buses in Punjab and the appearance of pro-Khalistani slogans on vehicles, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri announced on Saturday that state buses will not be parked overnight in Punjab until their safety is assured.

The decision was made after four Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses were vandalised at the Amritsar bus stand on Friday night. At the same time, pro-Khalistan slogans were found on several others. Buses travelling to Bilaspur, Dehra, and Una were damaged, while a Hamirpur-bound bus was marked with slogans, according to Divisional Manager Raj Kumar Pathak. With the HRTC operating across 600 routes in Punjab, this poses a main operational challenge.

"We think that until the Punjab government assures us of their safety, the buses will not be parked at night in Punjab. Buses would be brought back to Himachal borders and even some routes could be suspended," Agnihotri said. "The HRTC is not a party to any dispute, and targeting our buses is not right; this is the state's property, but still, such incidents are happening, and we are in continuous touch with the Punjab government. The DGP has spoken to his Punjab counterpart in this regard," he further said. "Some anti-social elements are doing mischief by damaging the property of the state, and this will not be tolerated. FIRs are being registered (in Punjab), and arrests are being made. Safety of staff and passengers is our priority," Agnihotri further highlighted.

The HRTC had already suspended 10 bus routes in Punjab following previous incidents, including an attack on a Chandigarh-Hamirpur bus near Kharar. In connection with the bus attacks, two people were arrested in Mohali. In a separate incident, a Jalandhar-Manali bus was targeted with stone-pelting, and attackers also put up posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. An FIR for this incident was filed in Sirhind. Tensions further escalated after a dispute at the Manikaran Barrier in Kullu district over vehicle entry fees for travellers from Punjab.

Between March 10 and 15, four cases were filed against bikers from Punjab at police stations in Manikaran, Manali, and Kullu after flags featuring Bhindranwale’s image were removed from their motorcycles.

In response, activists from Dal Khalsa and Sikh Youth of Punjab in Hoshiarpur placed Bhindranwale’s photos on HRTC and private buses. Meanwhile, HRTC employees, especially drivers and conductors on Punjab routes, have raised troubles over reiterated attacks and pro-Khalistan slogans.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, Anti Terrorist Front India’s National President Viresh Shandilya claimed that these incidents were deliberate attempts to disrupt peace in Himachal Pradesh. The Front announced its strategy to put Bharat Mata posters on Punjab Roadways buses at ISBT Shimla and hold peaceful demonstrations. Meanwhile, the department remains in touch with HRTC bus staff and has alerted higher authorities about the situation. The recent incidents have heightened tensions between the two states, prompting both sides to take steps to manage the escalating crisis.