RTC strike: JAC announces protest plan across Telangana depots

Following a RTC driver’s suicide attempt in Warangal, the JAC blamed the Telangana government and RTC management, alleging neglect of employee demands. It announced a multi-day protest plan and urged the Chief Minister’s intervention to resolve the ongoing strike.

Hyderabad: Expressing shock over the incident where an RTC bus driver identified as Shankar Goud attempted to die by suicide by self-immolation at Narsampet depot in Warangal on Thursday, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) has blamed the State government and RTC management for the incident.

In a press release, JAC leaders alleged that the government’s approach and statements by the Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, claiming that 29 out of 32 demands had been addressed, had caused anguish among employees, as key promises from the election manifesto remain unfulfilled.

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The JAC criticised the government for what they described as a rigid and insensitive stance. They questioned how many more workers would have to resort to extreme steps before the government responds.

The leaders also alleged that police were being used to dismantle protest tents at depots and disperse striking workers forcefully, calling it contrary to democratic principles.

The JAC demanded immediate advanced medical care for Shankar Goud and held both the RTC management and the government responsible for the incident.

They urged Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s intervention to resolve the strike demands and defuse the tense atmosphere across depots.

Protest plan announced:

The JAC has outlined a series of protest programmes:

• April 24: Silent protests in front of all depots
• April 25: Community cooking protests (Vanta-Vaarpu) at depots
• April 26: Workers’ rallies across regions and districts
• April 27: Submission of representations to MLAs, MLCs, MPs, and Ministers
• April 28: Protests by women employees with Bathukamma at depots
• April 29: Half-dressed protesters in front of depots