SHILLONG : An electric bus driver and conductor who kept passengers safe when their vehicle came under stone-pelting during the violence in Shillong on August 19 have been felicitated by the Meghalaya Government.
Fullmoonwell Lyngdoh, the driver, and Banmanbha Marwein, the conductor of electric bus “Ka Bos Jong Ngi”, were on their regular Air Force-IIM route when the bus reached Wahkdiat, Nongmensong, at around 5:51 pm.
The bus, bearing registration number ML 05 AH 5045, encountered an ongoing rally when stones were suddenly thrown at it. The attack shattered the front windshield and left passengers inside the vehicle exposed to the violence.
Lyngdoh said he had initially slowed down and pulled over to allow bikers to pass. The situation changed suddenly, however, and he realised the passengers were in danger.
Marwein immediately instructed passengers to duck and take cover while Lyngdoh kept control of the bus and carefully moved away from the area. The bus was brought to safety without any passenger being injured.
“When the situation became dangerous, they did not think of their own safety first. They thought of the passengers,” Urban Affairs Secretary Wanrilin A.M. Booth, IAS, said while honouring the two.
She said their response reflected the responsibility carried by public transport workers, who are entrusted with the safety of passengers every day.
“The State Government, the Urban Affairs Department and MUDA stand firmly behind our public transport workers. Violence against public transport is unacceptable,” Booth said.
The incident also led the authorities to review how public transport should operate during large rallies and other situations carrying a risk of violence.
MUDA Secretary Sainpyniar S. Syiemlieh said the number of buses operating on the route had already been reduced as a precaution during the rally.
He also recommended that drivers and conductors receive emergency-response training in coordination with the State Disaster Management Authority so they can better handle similar situations.
Deputy Secretary of Urban Affairs Saloni Verma praised Lyngdoh and Marwien for remaining composed under pressure, while Director of Urban Affairs P.K. Boro said their actions had set an example for other public transport personnel.
Lyngdoh recalled that his first response was to slow the bus down and allow the bikers to pass. Once the stone-pelting began, however, his priority shifted to getting the passengers out of danger.
Marwein said he remained calm after a stone struck the bus and immediately told passengers to get down and take cover.
Both men were formally felicitated for their actions and given ₹10,000 each as a cash award.
