A government bus driver was allegedly stabbed on the head by a functionary of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) near Karuppatti in the Sholavandan area of Madurai district late on Tuesday night, triggering protests by transport corporation employees and disrupting bus services.
According to reports, the final government town bus of the night departed from the Madurai Periyar Bus Stand at around 10:40 PM. After dropping passengers at Karuppatti, the bus, driven by Prasad, was returning to the Sholavandan depot.
As the bus approached the TASMAC outlet near Karuppatti, a car was allegedly parked across the road, obstructing traffic. Driver Prasad reportedly asked those in the vehicle to move the car aside and give way to the bus.
An argument then broke out between Prasad and the occupants of the car. During the altercation, Dhanushkodi, 45, son of Thangam of Karuppatti and a TVK functionary from the Sholavandan area, allegedly refused to move the vehicle and continued the dispute with the driver.
As the verbal quarrel escalated, Dhanushkodi allegedly called several of his supporters who were passing through the area to come to the spot. It is alleged that he then, along with his supporters, attacked driver Prasad and stabbed him on the head with a knife.
Prasad sustained a severe bleeding injury and collapsed unconscious on the spot. Following the attack, Dhanushkodi allegedly fled the scene in the car, while his supporters also escaped.
Bus conductor Mokkasamy immediately alerted emergency services and summoned a 108 ambulance. Prasad was rescued and admitted to the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai for treatment.
The incident created tension and shock in the locality. Based on a complaint, the Sholavandan police registered a case and launched a search operation to trace Dhanushkodi and the other accused who remain absconding.
The attack sparked strong protests among transport corporation employees. More than 300 drivers, conductors and depot staff attached to the Sholavandan government bus depot reportedly boycotted work from Wednesday morning, demanding the immediate arrest of Dhanushkodi and condemning the assault on the driver.
As a result of the protest, 55 government buses operated from the Sholavandan depot remained off the roads, causing inconvenience to members of the public and daily commuters.
#WATCH | மதுரை சோழவந்தான்: தவெக நிர்வாகி அரசுப் பேருந்து ஓட்டுநரை கத்தியால் தாக்கிய விவகாரம்; ஓட்டுநர் நடத்துனர் பாதுகாப்பினை உறுதி செய்யும் வரை 55 அரசு பேருந்துகளை இயக்காமல் ஓட்டுனர் நடத்துனர் என பணிமனை ஊழியர்கள் வேலை நிறுத்த போராட்டம்#SunNews | #Madurai | #TVK | #Crime pic.twitter.com/oKu6uyarue
— Sun News (@sunnewstamil) June 1, 2026
Following the protest, officials of the State Transport Corporation and police officers held talks with the agitating employees. During the discussions, police officials assured the protesters that appropriate legal action would be taken against those responsible for the attack.
Based on the assurance given by the police, the protesting employees withdrew their agitation and resumed work.
Police officials stated that a case has been registered against Dhanushkodi and that a manhunt is underway to secure his arrest. According to the police, several criminal cases are already pending against Dhanushkodi and he has previously been subjected to action under the Goondas Act.
Police further confirmed that Dhanushkodi is a member of the TVK.
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