Mangaluru (The Hindu): Following a number of complaints from senior citizens on seats meant for them being occupied by others on city buses, the police on Tuesday launched a drive and booked 46 cases against private bus conductors.

As part of the drive, traffic police teams spread out to different places, including Surathkal, Baikampady and Bhagwan Mahaveer Junction to keep a watch on private buses. They imposed a penalty of Rs. 100 on each bus conductor for violation.

During the weekly phone-in programme, Police Commissioner M. Chandra Sekhar and other police officers had been getting calls from senior citizens about seats meant for them being occupied by others on city buses. Senior citizens had been pressing for action against bus operators for allowing others to sit in seats meant for elders. There were also calls seeking action against bus drivers using the narrow Jail Road.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) K. Tilakchandra said that the city buses have to follow a circular issued by the Deputy Commissioner reserving some seats for senior citizens.

Mr. Tilakchandra said that the police seized on Monday evening a bus that entered Jail Road in violation of the permit condition to operate on a fixed route.