Pune: Wagholi Shocked by Koyta Assault on School Van: Parents Demand Safety Measures

Wagholi, 4th March 2024: In a disturbing incident on Monday morning around 9 o’clock near BJS School at Bakuri Phata in Wagholi, two individuals on a two-wheeler attempted to attack a school van driver, wielding a Koyta. None of the eight students in the van were injured, although the van’s glass windows shattered during the incident.

The van driver, identified as Sachin Digambar Ingole (27 years old, resident of Wagholi), filed a complaint, leading to the registration of a case against Akash Torambe (resident of Wagholi) and a minor who participated in the attack. Mohan Kadam owns the van, and Ingole serves as its driver.

The motive behind the attack stemmed from a court visit by Kadam and Ingole on February 6, 2024, related to a case involving Kadam. Enraged by Ingole’s presence at the court, two individuals, including Torambe, attempted to assault the van driver with a Koyta after the van left the school. The front and driver’s side windows of the van were shattered, causing minor injuries to a student sitting in the front due to broken glass.

The students, frightened by the incident, screamed, prompting the assailants to flee. Concerned parents rushed to the school upon learning of the incident, taking their children home. The students in the van ranged from class 5 to 9, including two girls, and the incident has understandably raised alarm among parents and the school community.

The incident involving an attack on a school van during the morning hours when children were on board has understandably caused great concern among parents. No child was injured, but the shockwaves from such an event resonated deeply with the parents’ community.

This kind of attack, taking place on the streets during busy mornings, is a matter of serious concern. Many parents are urging the police to treat the matter with gravity and take stringent action to prevent such incidents from recurring.

Wagholi has over 60 schools, and a large number of buses, rickshaws, and vans transport students in the area. Concerns have been raised about the licensing and authorization status of these vehicles and the qualifications of the drivers. Citizens are calling for regular checks by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and traffic police to ensure the safety and legitimacy of the vehicles transporting students.

The recent incident follows a school bus accident in Wagholi a few months ago, which resulted in injuries to some students. This series of incidents has heightened worries among parents about the safety of their children during their commute to and from school. The community is urging authorities to take swift and comprehensive measures to address these safety concerns and secure the well-being of students.