Pudukkottai bus staff arrested after Narikurava students fall from moving bus

In Pudukkottai, police arrested the driver and conductor of a government bus after ten Narikurava students fell from the vehicle, an incident that has sparked political condemnation. The students allege the driver deliberately opened the automatic door. The incident occurred when the bus traveled about 25 meters after the students boarded near Irangamma Chathiram. Nine schoolgirls and one college student were injured and hospitalized. The students also complained of persistent neglect by bus staff towards their community. DMK leader Kanimozhi condemned the act as caste-based untouchability. The driver, Arjunan, denied the allegations, but both he and conductor Manikandan were arrested. The transport corporation suspended the driver and removed the temporary conductor.