Thiruvananthapuram | KSRTC on Friday said it has initiated stringent legal action against those involved in attacks on its buses and crew members rendering fare-free bus services for women, and who made attempts to disrupt operations.

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, on the newly launched "Priyadarshini" bus services for women, said there would be no compromise in dealing with incidents targeting its buses, employees or public property.

Under the scheme introduced by the UDF to fulfill its poll promise, women are allowed free travel in KSRTC ordinary buses.

In a statement, KSRTC said a Priyadarshini bus was intercepted at Chempu near Vaikom on July 23 by employees of a private bus firm who allegedly abused staff, attempted to assault them and caused some damage to the state-run bus.

Based on a complaint filed by the KSRTC driver, police registered a case, including under provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act, and launched an investigation.

In another incident on July 24, two youths who arrived on a motorcycle allegedly assaulted KSRTC driver S Rajeev without provocation while he was operating a Kollam-Pathanamthitta bus near Bharanikkavu.

The injured driver is undergoing treatment at Sasthamkotta Taluk Hospital and a police complaint has been lodged, the statement said.

The state-run transport corporation said attacks on its employees and public property were being viewed with utmost seriousness and that it was coordinating with the state police to ensure strict legal action.

KSRTC said all available legal provisions would be invoked against those who obstruct public transport services, damage public property or assault employees. Habitual offenders would face exemplary legal action, the statement added.

The corporation also appealed to the public and passengers to immediately inform the authorities if they witnessed such incidents.