Violent protests in Delhi after Blueline bus rams 16 people

Violent protests broke out in the national capital after a speeding Blueline bus rammed over 16 people, killing six of them on the spot on Sunday.

New Delhi, Oct 7 : Violent protests broke out in the national capital after a speeding Blueline bus rammed over 16 people, killing six of them on the spot on Sunday.

The death toll now has risen to eight, that includes five women, one man and two children.The speeding bus, run by a private operator, was plying on route number 460, and the incident occurred near Ali village Railway Bridge very close to the Apollo Hospital in South Delhi area.

Enraged by the incident the onlookers started pelting stones at the bus and tried to set it on fire.

The huge protests marked by incidents of stone pelting led to the deployment of massive police force in the area. Police had to fire tear gas shells to control the angry mob and even resorted to baton charge.

"We appeal to the people to maintain calm as the incident is very unfortunate and we will make sure the toughest possible punishment is meted out to the driver and others found guilty of over-speeding," said Anil Shukla, Deputy Commissioner of Police of South Delhi.

The onlookers said that the driver of the bus seemed to have lost control on the bus.

"The driver was having some argument with some people and in the meanwhile hit the pedestrians standing on the road. I came to see my husband, and when I came here I saw five dead bodies on the ground," said Urmila, an onlooker.

The driver of the bus has been arrested, but his assistant is absconding.

With today's incident the death toll by 'killer' Delhi's Blue Line have shot to 93 people so far this year.

Few months ago, the State Government had pulled off the private buses from plying on Delhi roads to put a check on increasing cases of accidents, caused by rash driving. However, it resulted in transport woes in the city.

ANI