18 Year Old Trainy Air Hostess Allegedly Molested Inside Moving Bus in Tripura: GPS Safety System Missing Despite Recent Govt Launch
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, August 6, 2025
A shocking incident has surfaced from Bishramganj, Tripura, where an 18-year-old female student, currently undergoing air hostess training in Guwahati, was reportedly molested inside a moving bus while returning home from Agartala on the night of August 5. According to local sources, the young woman was subjected to severe physical harassment by unidentified co-passengers. Disturbingly, none of the other passengers intervened or protested against the obscene behavior.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns over women’s safety in public transport, especially in light of the recent launch of the Vehicle Location and Tracking System (VLTS) in Tripura, which includes GPS-enabled real-time tracking and an emergency panic button system. The ambitious project, meant to be implemented in both government and private buses, was officially inaugurated on July 2, 2025, by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha in presence of Transport Minister Sushanta Choudhury.
The system, developed under the Centre’s Nirbhaya Scheme with a sanctioned fund of Rs. 5 crore, was envisioned to allow passengers in distress, especially women to press a panic button inside the vehicle, instantly notifying the transport department’s online server system and call centre. In such cases, the nearest police station is to be alerted immediately along with live GPS tracking of the vehicle's movement.
However, as per ground reports, the bus involved in yesterday’s incident did not have the mandated VLTS device installed, despite being operational on a public route. This glaring lapse in safety compliance raises serious questions about the implementation and enforcement of the system. While a few state-run buses were reportedly equipped with the device during the launch, no private bus has been fitted with it yet, contradicting the Centre’s guideline that mandates installation in all public transport vehicles new and old alike.
Sources from the transport department confirm that while new buses are coming pre-fitted with the GPS and panic systems during manufacturing, they still need integration with the department’s centralized server and call centre to function effectively. Sadly, beyond the ceremonial launch, there seems to be little follow-up, and the department has yet to enforce compliance, especially in the private sector.
In the aftermath of the molestation incident, tensions flared in Bishramganj. Alleging failure of safety protocols, angry locals reportedly pulled out suspected passengers from other buses and physically assaulted them, leading to injuries. Several bystanders and uninvolved passengers were also caught in the chaos, escalating the situation further. As of today, the area remains tense, with additional police forces deployed to maintain law and order.
Critics have pointed fingers at the Transport Department, accusing it of focusing more on ceremonial optics than practical enforcement. Many believe that had the panic button system been functional inside the bus, the victim could have immediately alerted authorities, possibly preventing the traumatic episode.
The incident has given political ammunition to opposition groups, particularly TIPRA Motha, whose supporters have reportedly used the issue to organize protests and question the government's sincerity toward women’s safety.
In light of the incident, activists and concerned citizens have demanded an immediate audit of all public transport vehicles to verify installation of safety devices and real-time connectivity with the call centre.
With the Nirbhaya Fund-supported safety system still lacking full implementation over a month after its launch, the state government now faces growing pressure to act decisively and restore public trust.
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