'Drunk Drivers Are Terrorists,' Hyderabad Police Warn After Kurnool Bus Fire

Hyderabad police have issued a stern warning to those who drive under the influence of alcohol, calling them "terrorists" after a tragic bus fire in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, claimed 20 lives. The city's police commissioner, VC Sajjanar, emphasized that there will be "no mercy" for drunk drivers.

Hyderabad Police: Drunk Driving Equals Terrorism

"Drunk drivers are terrorists. Period. Drunk drivers are terrorists and their actions are nothing short of acts of terror on our roads. The horrific Kurnool bus accident, which claimed the lives of 20 innocent people, was not an accident in the truest sense. It was a preventable massacre, caused by the reckless and irresponsible behavior of an intoxicated biker," Sajjanar wrote on X.

"This was not a road mishap but a criminal act of negligence that annihilated entire families within seconds. The biker, identified as B Shiva Shankar, was reportedly under the influence of alcohol. CCTV footage shows him refueling his motorcycle at 2:24 a.m., minutes before he lost control and caused the devastating collision at 2:39 a.m. His decision to drive drunk turned a moment of arrogance into a tragedy of unimaginable scale," he added.

Zero Tolerance for Drunk Driving

"I stand firmly by my statement that DRUNK DRIVERS ARE TERRORISTS in every sense. They destroy lives, families, and futures. Such acts will never be tolerated," the commissioner stated.

Sajjanar reinforced that Hyderabad police maintain a zero-tolerance policy against drunk driving. "Every single person caught driving under the influence will face the full force of law. There will be no leniency, no exceptions, and no mercy for those who endanger innocent lives. It's time we, as a society, stop calling drunk driving a mistake. It is a crime that shatters lives and must be punished accordingly."

The Kurnool Bus Tragedy: What Happened

Investigations into the Kurnool incident revealed that the biker's reckless behavior directly led to the disaster. Shiva Shankar and his companion, Erri Swamy, were returning from dinner and drinks at a dhaba. Erri admitted that both were intoxicated.

Shiva lost control of his bike, collided with a divider, and died instantly. A bus then ran over the bike, dragging it along the road. The fuel tank ignited, resulting in a fire that claimed the lives of 19 bus passengers.

A Preventable Disaster

The Kurnool bus fire serves as a grim reminder of the catastrophic consequences of drunk driving. Hyderabad police have made it clear that such negligence is not a mere mistake but a punishable crime that destroys countless lives in seconds.