Kochi on edge as bus crew violence recurs; police tighten norms
Kochi sees five bus crew attacks in two months. Police arrest driver, seize bus, and push for mandatory police clearance certificates.
A spate of violent incidents involving private bus staff has put Kochi's roads under scrutiny, with at least five cases of assault or unruly behaviour reported in the past two months. The latest arrest came on Thursday when Elamakkara police detained Mansoor Marakkar, a 30-year-old driver from Thevakkal, for allegedly picking a verbal fight with motorists after blocking traffic near the Edappally Post Office. The bus he was operating has been seized.
Earlier this week, Central police arrested three bus employees—M.Z. Nahas, M.Z. Nasrudeen, and Bristo Mathews—for allegedly beating an autorickshaw driver near Ernakulam North Town Hall on August 28. A subsequent check revealed the vehicle had around 200 pending traffic challans, prompting authorities to move to cancel its registration and permit.
Other incidents in August included an attack on three women and two men near Ernakulam North by staff of another private bus. In July, a lawyer riding a two-wheeler was allegedly assaulted after a dispute over reckless driving, and a passenger was attacked for intervening in a clash between staff of two buses over trip timings.
Kochi City Police Chief Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar said the police clearance certificate (PCC) requirement for bus crew will be enforced strictly. He attributed the repeated confrontations to intense competition and tight trip schedules in the sector. A QR code-based checkpoint system is also being planned to improve monitoring.
The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) recently ran a special drive, booking 81 buses and collecting ₹1,21,250 in fines. Enforcement RTO Biju Isaac noted that many employees still lack the mandatory PCC and urged operators to ensure compliance. He also called on the public to report unruly behaviour.
The Ernakulam Private Bus Operators Association has backed the crackdown, claiming that trouble-making vehicles are often not its members. Association president K.B. Suneer said membership has been denied to around 60 buses frequently involved in incidents. However, he appealed for relaxation of PCC norms for those booked for minor offences, citing practical difficulties in obtaining clearances.