In the midst of the ongoing strike by Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) employees, a bus driver tried to set himself on fire during the protest for their demands. The distressing incident took place at the Narasampet bus depot in Warangal district, causing tension in the area. The driver, K. Shankar Goud, suffered severe burns, with 80% of his body affected, and was rushed to MGM Hospital in Warangal for critical care.
In another troubling event, an RTC worker in Nalgonda also attempted self-immolation, but was prevented from doing so by alert police officers and fellow employees. The strike has led to a standstill in public road transport services across Telangana, as around 40,000 employees continue their indefinite strike to push for 32 demands, including the integration of TSRTC with the government and salary adjustments. Employees have been actively demonstrating outside depots, rallying for their cause as part of the Joint Action Committee’s call for action.
As the strike persists, the State Cabinet engaged in discussions regarding the situation with RTC employees. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy urged the workers to refrain from impulsive actions, emphasizing that extreme measures would not resolve the issues at hand. The Chief Minister’s Office released a statement affirming the government’s dedicated efforts to address the workers’ concerns, with plans for ministerial talks led by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and RTC union representatives scheduled for the following day. The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving the workers’ grievances in a positive manner.
