Are Bangaloreans getting intolerant?

Are Bangaloreans getting intolerant?
Vijay Times

In 2004:
June 22: A lorry set ablaze near Mudianapalya in Giddadakonenahalli in Bangalore North
Aug 18: Five JCBs set on fire near Kudlu village on Hosur Road.
Aug 19: Three police motorcycles and a police jeep torched near Chowdeshwarinagar in Raj Gopal Nagar.
Aug 21: A police motorcycle set afire near Karanji Swamy circle in Basavanagudi. (This was due to motorists’ anger over harassment by police during an intensive vehicle-checking drive.)
Oct 9: A tempo set ablaze opposite Deepa Hospital in KR Puram on Old Madras Road.
Oct 28: Three two-wheelers set on fire near Nagavara Junction, Vyalikaval Housing Society, Govindapura.
Nov 21: A lorry and a two-wheeler set on fire near the Iblur Junction on Aarjapura Road in Koramangala.
In 2003:
The Fire and Emergency Services Department had registered five separate arson cases.

Incidents involving arson are shooting up in the City.
Psychologists say people's frustration due to various socio-economic reasons is the cause for this "unhealthy" trend.

While this is something that sociologists and economists have to deal with, police are at a loss to put in place a mechanism to prevent incidents of arson — mainly just after a fatal accident.
The figures speak for themselves. While only five cases were recorded in the whole of last year, this year, the Fire and Emergency Services Department registered seven cases of arson from June to November, and three of the incidents occurred in a period of just four days in August.

B G Chengappa, Joint Director, Fire and Emergency Services, says growing vehicle population in the City has contributed to fatal accidents.
According to psychologist Raja Reddy, a counsellor at Helping Hand, road rage has risen considerably in the City.
When accidents occur, people vent their anger by turning violent. Turning to arson appears the most 'satisfying' way. The driver is the first target.
But often drivers escape from the scene leaving their vehicles behind, which then attract the irate mob's attention and the other passing vehicles become the targets, says Chengappa. And even the police vehicles are not spared.

According to Syed Shafi Ahmed, Regional Transport officer (Central), there is no provision in the Motor Vehicles Act to make public transport vehicles carry fire extinguishers.
Prof M N Sreehari, Chairman, Traffic Engineers and Safety Trainers (TEST), says an amendment should facilitate making it mandatory for all public transport vehicles to carry fire extinguishers.
Deputy Commissioner of Police-Traffic (East) M A Saleem, says the department tries its best to thwart such situations by sending a patrol vehicle as soon as a fatal accident occurs.