Telangana: CPI joins striking TSRTC employees, announces solidarity

Announcing their solidarity, the Communist Party of India (CPI) leaders on Sunday 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. The TSRTC employees started protesting on October 5 in Telangana against the decision of the State Government to sack over 48,000 employees. The strike entered its ninth day on Sunday. 

TSRTC driver dies

A TSRTC bus driver reportedly lost his life after he attempted to commit suicide during a strike by TSRTC (Telangana State Road Transport Corporation) on Sunday, October 13. Srinivas Reddy was among the 48,000 employees who were on a strike against the Telangana Government. He had allegedly tried to end his own life by setting himself on fire at his residence in Khammam. According to the hospital statement, "The patient, Srinivas Reddy, who was admitted to DRDO Apollo Hospital with severe burn injuries has passed away while undergoing treatment."

Read | Congress contradiction on Telangana: Mani Shankar Aiyar calls Andhra Pradesh bifurcation a 'tragedy,' Manmohan Singh says 'historic'

Read | Telangana: TSRTC employees launch strike a day ahead of Dussehra

Telangana CM on strike

According to the Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, there is "no question" of having any talks with the agitating 48,000 RTC employees. The employees had gone on strike on October 5, demanding the merger of the RTC with the government. They are also demanding revision of their salaries pending since April 2017. The Telangana High Court on Thursday had posted the road transport corporation matter for the October 15 hearing. The High Court had also asked the state government to submit a detailed report on the issue.

Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2019 | Snubbed by the Mahagatbandhan in Bihar, CPI fields Kanhaiya Kumar from Begusarai seat

Read | CPI Targets Home Minister Rajnath Singh After He Hints At Third Cross-border Strike, Says, "If Indeed Such A Strike Has Taken Place, The Nation Must Know About It"

(With ANI inputs)