Telangana: Striking TSRTC employees, Congress workers detained

As Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) strike entered its 17th day, police authorities detained several Congress workers along with Road Transport Corporation (RTC) employees at Pragati Bhawan in Hyderabad on Monday. protestors were protesting death of a TSRTC employee who allegedly set himself ablaze in Khammam on October 12.  
Ahead of proposed plan to lay siege to Pragati Bhavan, camp office-cum-residence of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), a few Congress leaders were put under house arrest while some have been taken into preventive custody. Furr, heavy security has been deployed in surrounding areas of Pragati Bhavan, and Metro services at Begumpet Metro station have been suspended. 
According to reports, over 49,000 workers have been on strike since October 5.

strike

workers have been on strike since October 5, protesting against state government's order to sack over 40,000 employees of TSRTC. According to reports, Transport Corporation Joint Action Committee has been demanding for a merger of Regional Transport Committee with Telangana government. y had also demanded prohibition of electric buses. Furr reports stated that ever since beginning of strike, more than 2,000 busses have remained grounded in state.

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A trail of deaths

A 55-year-old TSRTC employee, Srinivas Reddy, died after he allegedly immolated himself on October 13. He was a part of group of employees on a state-wide strike for nine days. According to reports, driver had doused himself with kerosene and set himself ablaze near his house in Khammam, about 190 km from Hyderabad, to protest against government's reluctance in accepting demands of striking employees.

Ar TSRTC conductor,  deceased identified as Surender Goud, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from ceiling fan at his house on October 13. According to reports, when deceased his family members entered house and saw him hanging from ceiling fan, y immediately rushed him to a nearby hospital. However, Goud was declared brought dead. According to police, Goud was depressed over  "fear of job loss and n-payment of September salary" due to on-going TSRTC strike. 

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HC directs dialogue

Telangana High Court on October 16, after hearing both sides, directed state government and Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) employees to initiate a dialogue immediately to resolve issues. However, reports state that striking employees have been firm about continuing strike until ir demands are fulfilled. According to sources, state government is set to form a committee including ministers and officials to hold talks with TSRTC employees. 

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(with ANI inputs)