Hyderabad: The strike by TSRTC employees seeking the corporation’s merger with State Government intensified after a driver, Srinivas Reddy of Khammam who had set himself ablaze succumbed at a hospital in Hyderabad.
Leaders of RTC unions and various opposition parties visited the DRDO Apollo Hospital in Kanchanbagh and held protest. They held State Government responsible for the suicide and raised slogans against Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao. Police had a tough time handling the protestors.
Srinivas Reddy’s death escalated tension, especially in Khammam district where some unidentified persons damaged RTC buses. They also prevented the temporary drivers from plying the buses. Several leaders of RTC unions were taken into custody by the police.
Another RTC employee Ravi, attached to Narsampet Depot of Warangal district, also attempted suicide. He tried to set himself ablaze by pouring kerosene on his body. However, the RTC union leaders and police personnel foiled the attempt.
Meanwhile, the RTC JAC has given a call for Khammam Bandh on Monday in protest against the suicide by driver Srinivas Reddy. Congress and Left Parties have announced their support for the bandh. The Congress party has also declared its support to Telangana Bandh call on October 19. (INN)