Yellapur: Members of various organisations staged a protest in Yellapur on Saturday condemning the assault on a sick bus passenger by the driver and conductor of a State Transport Corporation bus.

They blocked the movement of buses for over two hours and demanded suspension of the erring driver and conductor.

It can be recalled that an employee of the Education Department who was not feeling well wanted to sit in the bus which he was supposed to travel in. However, the bus driver M A Biradar and conductor M H Mayannanavar prevented him from sitting in the bus stating that it would leave after half an hour and he cannot sit in it in advance. When he questioned as to why they were not allowing him to sit in the bus though he was unwell, they assaulted him and even dragged him to the police station.

Reacting to the incident, Depot Manager C V Itagi said that they need four days time to initiate suitable action against the erring driver and conductor. The action that would be taken would be informed in writing.

Only after that assurance, the protest was withdrawn.

He said that it was wrong on part of the employees to lodge a police complaint against a passenger without the permission of higher-ups. Notices had been issued to the driver and conductor and the incident had been brought to the notice of the higher authorities.