Tension prevailed as RTC unions, BRS leaders staged a massive dharna at Jangaon RTC depot

Tension prevailed at Jangaon RTC depot as workers and BRS leaders staged a protest demanding fulfilment of promises. A scuffle broke out with police, while an RTC driver attempted suicide amid ongoing unrest over pending issues

Jangaon: Tension prevailed at the Jangaon RTC depot as RTC unions, along with BRS leaders, staged a massive dharna on Friday.

MLA Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, who took part in the dharna, requested the police to permit RTC workers, who were protesting under the scorching sun, to hold their demonstration inside the depot premises.

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When the police refused the request, a scuffle broke out between the protesters and the police. The workers entered the premises by pushing past the barricades and staged a protest in front of the divisional manager’s (DM) office.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajeshwar Reddy demanded that the State government fulfil the promises made to the RTC workers. RTC driver Shanker Goud died by suicide while fighting for workers’ rights, and his death was a murder committed by the government, he alleged.

He clarified that the RTC workers were not demanding the introduction of a bill for the merger at this juncture; rather, they were requesting that the “Appointed Day” for the merger be officially announced.

Rajeshwar Reddy demanded that the government release Rs 3,000 crore dues owed to the RTC under the Mahalakshmi Scheme. The operation of electric buses should be entrusted to the RTC itself rather than being handed over to private entities.

In a desperate bid to resolve their grievances, another RTC driver, Ravinder of Bhupalpally RTC depot, attempted suicide by consuming pesticide. His colleagues rushed him to MGM Hospital in Warangal. Since the RTC strike started, four workers have attempted suicide, the MLA noted.