Buses stoned in Ramnad

RAMANATHAPURAM: Miscreants have damaged nine TNSTC buses and a private bus by hurling stones, after hearing the news of the murder of Pasupathi Pandian, founder leader of Devendrakula Velalar Federation at Dindigul by a gang on Tuesday night. Stone-throwing at buses occurred at different places including Paramakudi, Parthipanur, Mudukulathur and Ramanathap-uram. A lorry was also damaged.As bus services were suspended, commuters were stranded. Gunasundari of Rameswaram said she was stranded in Madurai until buses operated with police escort in the afternoon.Taking advantage of the situation private van drivers charged exorbitant fares, said some commuters. Most schools were functioning as usual in the district. However, the attendance was thin due to obstruction in the transport service. Office goers, vegetable vendors and other businessmen were affected in the morning. Normalcy returned to the district in the afternoon. A batch of 33 TNSTC buses arrived at Ramanathapuram from Madurai with tight police security. TNSTC started to operate buses on the NH after 11.30 am.