Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar met students of the GD Goenka School who were attacked by miscreants during the row over ‘Padmaavat’ in Gurugram.

Khattar reached the school in Gurugram unannounced after attending the inauguration of the Surajkund Mela on Friday, 2 February.

At the school, the CM interacted with the students and teachers. He praised the presence of mind of the staff in protecting the children when the bus came under attack. Miscreants who allegedly attacked the bus had also torched a Haryana Roadways bus nearby during the agitation.

The CM said that he felt pained after hearing the ordeal of the children and the staff and assured them that those found guilty of the attack will not be spared.

“Deeply pained about the unfortunate incident involving the school bus. As a public servant, I am duty-bound to provide security to all,” the CM wrote on Twitter.

जी डी गोयनका स्कूल, सोहना जाकर सभी बच्चों का कुशलक्षेम जाना। स्कूल बस के साथ हुई दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण घटना से मेरा मन बहुत व्यथित है I समझदारी का परिचय देने के लिए, सभी शिक्षकों का आभारी हूँ। जनसेवक होने के नाते हर एक की सुरक्षा को मैं अपना दायित्व समझता हूँ और उसके लिए प्रतिबद्ध हूँ। pic.twitter.com/OB2Gt8CXhK

— Manohar Lal (@mlkhattar) February 2, 2018

“Since I saw this incident on the television, what kept boggling my mind was why it should have happened to the little children. Though I am not feeling well, yet I decided to meet you all,” the CM reportedly said.

“People can have different viewpoints than government and can say it in democratic manner but we won’t allow anyone to hurt kids. Those involved in this incident will be punished and not be spared,” he added.

Khattar told the children to try and forget the incident and also spoke to the driver of the bus.

Read More: Police arrest 18 people for attacking school bus in Gurugram

The bus came under attack by miscreants on 24 January. Miscreants pelted stones at the bus and attacked it with bamboo sticks shattering window panes when it was going past the area where a Haryana roadways bus was set on fire by miscreants. Children and members of the staff of the school were present inside the bus at the time of the incident.

A video which went viral on the Internet shows the occupants of the bus cowering in fear as it speeds away towards safety.

Police arrested 18 people in connection with the attack on the school bus and the torching of the roadways bus.