RTC driver’s death: Bandh observed in Narsampet, tension at drivers’ native place

The death of an RTC driver after a self-immolation bid triggered protests and a bandh call in Narsampet, with workers intensifying agitation and demanding government intervention, compensation for the family, and resolution of their grievances

Warangal: The RTC JAC has called for Narsampet bandh on Friday following the death of a driver, Kola Shanker Goud after his self-immolation bid at Narsampet RTC bus stand on Thursday.

During the mid-night hours of Thursday his body was taken to his native village Muthojipet in Narsampet mandal in the district from Hyderabad, where died undergoing treatment. Heavy police deployment was made at Muthojipet and Narsampet to prevent any untoward incidents.

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Tension gripped Muthojipet as a large number of striking RTC workers reached Muthojipet located four kilometres from Narsampet. They staged a dharna on the main road demanding to allow them to take the drivers’ body to Narsampet to pay tributes to at the depot where he worked.

But the police denied permission to do so. Former Narsampet MLA Peddi Sudarshan Reddy also spoke with police officials, requesting that Shanker Goud’s mortal remains be placed at the RTC depot to allow RTC workers the opportunity to pay their tributes.

The ex-MLA demanded the State government to offer an ex-gratia Rs 1 crore to the family of Shanker Goud and a government job to any one of his family. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy must take responsibility for Shanker Goud’s death; he said while appealing to RTC workers not to take any extreme steps assuring that the BRS party would stand by them.

Meanwhile protests were staged by the workers at all RTC depots in erstwhile Warangal district as the strike continued for the third consecutive day demanding the resolution of their grievances.

At Bhupalpally the workers staged a protest by wearing black ribbons; observed a moment of silence and paid homage to the deceased RTC driver, Shankar Goud. They pledged that the entire RTC workforce would stand in solidarity with the bereaved family.

The RTC workers urged the State government to immediately invite the RTC Joint Action Committee (JAC) for talks to resolve the issues, emphasising the need to ensure that no further lives were lost among the work force.

Officials have deployed a special police force; fire department personnel and stationed medical ambulances at the depots in case of any extreme step by the striking workers.