Shillong, Aug 21: The driver and conductor of an electric bus were felicitated Friday for showing presence of mind and courage in protecting passengers during a stone-pelting incident at Wahkdiat in Shillong.
The driver Fullmoonwell Lyngdoh and the conductor Banmanbha Marwien of electric bus “Ka Bos Jong Ngi” (ML 05 AH 5045) were honoured by the Department of Urban Affairs and awarded Rs 10,000 each.
The bus, operating from Air Force to IIM, encountered the KSU-sponsored black-flag bike rally at Wahkdiat, Nongmensong around 6 PM on August 19 when miscreants pelted stones, shattering its front windshield and putting passengers at risk.
According to the department, the crew did not panic.
The conductor immediately asked passengers to duck and take cover, while the driver maintained control and safely moved the bus away from the danger zone. No passenger was injured.
Secretary Urban Affairs Wanrilin AM Booth said the felicitation was to publicly recognise their exemplary conduct.
“When the situation became dangerous, they did not think of their own safety first. They thought of the passengers. Their presence of mind in instructing passengers to take cover and their determination to bring everyone to safety are exactly the qualities we expect from our public transport personnel,” she said.
She said violence against public transport is unacceptable and the government stands firmly behind its transport workers.
Deputy Secretary Saloni Verma, MUDA Secretary Sainpyniar S Syiemlieh and Director of Urban Affairs P. Kr. Boro also commended the crew.
Syiemlieh said the number of buses on the route was reduced during the rally as a precautionary measure and recommended training for drivers and conductors in coordination with the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) to strengthen emergency preparedness.
Recalling the incident, Lyngdoh said he had slowed down to allow bikers to pass when the situation escalated, after which he asked passengers to take cover and drove them to safety.
Marwien said he remained calm even after a stone hit the bus and ensured passengers ducked before the bus was halted safely.
