Auto driver dies by suicide in Mancherial; union slams State government

An auto-rickshaw driver in Mancherial died after consuming pesticide amid financial distress allegedly linked to reduced earnings following the free bus scheme for women. Auto unions staged a protest and demanded government support for the deceased driver’s family

Mancherial: An auto-rickshaw driver, reportedly caught in a severe financial crisis, died by suicide at Garmilla here on Sunday.

Police and family members said Maryada Babu (40) consumed pesticide on March 1. He breathed his last while battling for life and undergoing treatment at a hospital. He was depressed due to the financial crisis that hit auto drivers after the introduction of the free bus scheme for women. He is survived by two wives and three daughters.

---

Meanwhile, Manda Ravi Kumar, president of a joint action committee formed by different auto-rickshaw unions, demanded that the State government extend support to the family of Babu. He took part in a procession carrying the body of the driver. Members of the unions raised slogans against the government for ‘killing’ auto-rickshaw drivers by introducing the scheme. They vowed to achieve the rights of the drivers. Leaders Shafi, Anjanna, Srinivas, Mahesh, Suresh, Ganesh and others were present.