WEB DESK
An Indian-origin bus driver and singer was burnt to death yesterday when a man poured flammable liquid on him in front of passengers in Australia’s Brisbane city, the police said.
29 year old Manmeet Alisher, a well-known Punjabi singer, was driving a Brisbane City Council bus when he was targeted by a 48-year-old man who threw an “incendiary device” at him which led to a fire. Alisher died on the spot. Several passengers escaped through the rear door.
Six persons were rushed to a nearby hospital for smoke inhalation and minor injuries. There was no apparent motive, including terror or racial, the police said. The attacker was taken into custody.
Detectives from South Brisbane and the state crime command’s homicide group have commenced investigations, Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said. He said just after 9 am, the passengers were boarding a bus on Beaudesert Road when a man threw an “item” at the driver, causing fire. The bus, carrying six passengers, had pulled into a shopping centre to pick up three passengers when the incident took place.
Flags will be flown at half mast across Brisbane tomorrow as a mark of respect for Alisher, also known as Manmeet Sharma.
Transport Workers’ Union Queensland Secretary Peter Biagini said: “Our hearts go out to everybody affected by this terrible incident, and praise the quick thinking taxi driver who helped get people off the bus.” According to The Brisbane Times, there have been over 350 assaults on bus drivers across Queensland in the past six months. Manmeet Alisher, a well-known Punjabi singer, was driving a Brisbane City Council bus when he was targeted by a 48-year-old man who threw an “incendiary device” at him which led to a fire. Alisher died on the spot. Several passengers escaped through the rear door.
Six persons were rushed to a nearby hospital for smoke inhalation and minor injuries. There was no apparent motive, including terror or racial, the police said. The attacker was taken into custody.