RTC staff pay their condolences to driver who died during protests

Road Transport Corporation (RTC) employees carried out a candlelight march in the city of Hyderabad on Sunday, October 13 in remembrance of driver Srinivas Reddy, who died after immolating himself during a protest. "An RTC driver died today after he immolated himself during a protest in the city on Saturday. "It is tragic news for the RTC workers. We urge the striking protesters not to commit suicide," Indian Federation of Trade Unions Vice-President (Telangana) SL Padma, told news agency ANI on Sunday. 

A candlelight march by RTC employees

RTC employees from various depots carried out a candlelight march, which started from Musheerabad RTC depot and ended at Ram Nagar Circle. An RTC employee at the rally said: "We are not receiving our salaries. We have repeatedly sent notice to the state government but they have forced us to strike during this festive season." Srinivas Reddy succumbed to his injuries on Sunday at DRDO Apollo hospital in Hyderabad after receiving 80% burns. He had immolated himself on Saturday during a strike of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC).

The TSRTC employees have been protesting since October 5 seeking the merger of the corporation with the government. Their protest intensified after the state government issued a statement with regards to sacking over 40,000 employees because of the protest. Srinivas' family contended that he took his life as he was depressed over the government's attitude towards the TSRTC employees.

CPI leaders joined the strike

The strike entered its ninth day on Sunday and announcing their solidarity, the Communist Party of India (CPI) leaders joined the striking Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) employees. According to reports, the CPI leaders went to the Road Transport Corporation (RTC) depot, however, the police took the leaders into custody. Reports stated that they were further taken to the police station.

READ | TSRTC Strike: Another employee hangs self to death amid mass protests

READ | Telangana: CPI joins striking TSRTC employees, announces solidarity

Another employee hangs self to death

A TSRTC conductor allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at his house on Sunday night, October 13, hours after driver Srinivas Reddy, who self-immolated himself succumbed to his injuries at a hospital, police said. Surender Goud, aged around 50, hanged himself from a ceiling fan at his house, even as family members broke open the door of his room and shifted him to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him brought dead around 9.30 pm, an official attached to the Kulsumpura police station said. Asked about the reason behind the suicide, police said Goud was apparently depressed over the "fear of job loss and the non-payment of September salary" due to the ongoing TSRTC strike.

READ | Telangana: TSRTC driver who attempted self-immolation dies in hospital

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(With ANI inputs)