Kochi: A woman has alleged that she, along with her mother-in-law and two toddlers, was asked to alight from the KSRTC Pampa special service from Ernakulam South railway station on Wednesday night because “a young woman’s presence offended pilgrims during their period of abstinence”.

Ms Naseera S, mother-in-law and children arrived at the South Railway station by Vanchinad Express at 10.15 pm and boarded Erumeli-Pampa Special service (KL 15 A88, RSC -517) to go to their house at Vytilla.

The bus was packed with pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh. Only four seats at the rear were vacant. Ms Naseera insisted on getting the ladies’ seats behind the driver but the driver replied all pilgrims were headed for Pampa and that usually women won’t travel by the Pampa bus.

An argument broke out between the crew and Ms Naseera, who then informed the police aid post. Finally, she and family members were taken in a police vehicle of the Central Police and dropped at her house around 1 am.

When contacted, KSRTC MD Antony Chacko said: “There is no restriction on r women or any other person travelling by the Pampa service. Anyway, it was a matter of five minutes. Usually women avoid travelling by Pampa special services”.