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

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

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TSRTC employee commits suicide

Earlier, a 55-year-old TSRTC driver died on Sunday, a day after he set himself ablaze, even as strike by transport employees in Telangana entered ninth day. D Srinivas Reddy, who was part of group of employees on a state-wide strike for last nine days, died of burn injuries, hospital sources told PTI. driver h doused himself with kerosene and set himself ablaze near his house in Khammam, about 190 km from Hyderab, reportedly in protest against government t acceding to demands of striking employees. As news about Reddy's death spre, a large number of striking employees of TSRTC gared near hospital, but police at spot whisked m away in police vehicles.

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Protests also broke out in different parts of city and or places, with employees raising slogans and holding state government responsible for Reddy's death. At many places, striking employees and workers observed silence and later took out protest rallies and raised slogans like 'Srinivas Reddy Amar Rahe', while candlelight vigil was also held at some places on Sunday evening. In a related development, ar TSRTC driver, d around 40, doused himself with petrol at Narsampet depot in Warangal district on Sunday, however, police immediately intervened and foiled his alleged self-immolation bid. employees, who have been on strike since 5 October, demanding merger of TSRTC with government among ors also organized 'Vanta Varpu' (mass cooking) besides forming human chains as part of stir at many places in state.

Condoling driver's death, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said incident has pained him very much.

"My condolences to family of TSRTC driver, Sri D.Srinivas Reddy who passed away in an unfortunate incident today. TS govt should realise agony being caused by ongoing strike to general public.Govt should convene stakeholder meet at earliest"

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Union minister urged Telangana government to take steps to resolve issue amicably by holding talks with unions. He also extended his condolences to bereaved family. Telangana ministers, leers of opposition parties, including Congress and BJP, also condoled Reddy's death. Joint Action Committee of TSRTC has given a 'bandh' call in Khammam district on Monday. Congress Legislature Party leer Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka extended party's support to call. Taking a tough stand, Chief Minister KC Rao h said 48,000 striking RTC staff h "self-dismissed" mselves as he also me it very clear that under circumstances would RTC be merged with government.

KCR rejects talks

Rao has also directed officials that only those who have stayed away from strike would be given September salary. On Saturday, he h said re was question of having talks with striking employees or taking m back, terming agitation as "illegal." Rao also directed officials to restore bus services and if need be, recruit employees, utilise services of retired RTC and police department drivers.

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