Ludhiana, July 18 -- A Punjab Roadways bus conductor was brutally assaulted by a group of miscreants in Jagraon after he tried to protect a female passenger from harassment. The attack took place near Malla village around 6 pm on Wednesday evening when the victim, Tejinder Singh, was on duty on a bus travelling from Jagraon bus stand to Nihal Singh Wala in Moga, officials familiar with the matter said.

According to Amarjot Singh, roadways inspector at the Jagraon bus stand, trouble began when a male passenger boarded the bus and sat next to a young woman at the bus stand. While the woman purchased a ticket, the man refused, saying he would get off nearby. The conductor informed him that the bus was not permitted to stop mid-route and ask...