TSRTC Protests: 15 employees taken into custody by Hyderabad Police

Almost 15 TSRTC employees were taken into custody on Saturday when they were protesting in front of Farooq Nagar bus depot in Telangana. The RTC joint action committee has called for a 'bus roko' protest in Telangana. Section 144 has also been imposed in the State. 

Demand for merger temporarily dropped

Meanwhile, the protestors have decided to temporarily drop their main demand for the Corporation's merger with the government. The Joint action committee took the step after the Government showed no signs of reacting to the employee's demands after its 41st day of protest. The protestors have been demanding several demands including revision of pay and asking for the TRSTC to merge with the Government. 

Section 144 imposed

Earlier while speaking to media, Hyderabad Police Commissioner, Anjani Kumar said, "Hyderabad police have issued prohibitory order under Section 144 CrPC, around 500 meters of each of the bus depot and at bus Bhawan. No gathering of more than four people will be permitted at these places. Many business activities and academic activities will be disturbed if such Bus Roko programmes are allowed. Any person violating this prohibitory order will be arrested."

The BJP has also alleged that the TRS Government in the state plans to privatise the TSRTC by declaring it as a loss-making Corporation. They have also alleged that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao wants to 'promote his own people' by privatising the company. 

READ | TSRTC strike: BJP accuses KCR government of trying to to privatise RTC

READ | TSRTC employees' protest turns violent, 7 injured

More than 20 employee deaths reported

On November 15, another RTC employee passed away after suffering a mental shock. According to reports, the deceased, identified as P Nageshwar, had suffered a mental shock after Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s announcement to dismiss all striking RTC employees if they did not return to work by November 5. Following the incident, the Government announced ex gratia and a house for the family of the deceased. According to reports, more than 20 TSRTC employees have lost their life due to suicide or heart attacks. 

More than 48,000 employees of the corporation have been on an indefinite strike since October 5, demanding merger of the TSRTC with the government transport department and pay revision among others. Meanwhile, the State Government has sacked 40,000 employees.

READ | Telangana BJP leader urges citizens and NRIs to support and save TSRTC

READ | TSRTC strike: Another worker commits suicide