3 striking RTC drivers attempt suicide, 2 critical; govt to hold talks today

Narsampet/Hyderabad: Three Telangana State Road Transport Corporation drivers attempted suicide in different districts as the employees' strike entered second day on Thursday.The first case was reported from Narsampet (Warangal district), where a 55-year-old driver attempted self-immolation. K Shankar Goud suffered 80% burns in the incident and was shifted to a private hospital in Hyderabad for treatment.While the RTC union members claimed that Goud had succumbed while undergoing treatment, their claim could not be officially confirmed. "The individual had sustained nearly 80% burn injuries and is currently undergoing treatment," said J Venkati, district medical and health officer (DMHO).Two other drivers — G Linga Reddy from Bhadrachalam (Bhadradri Kothagudem district) and Venkanna from Miryalguda (Nalgonda) — also attempted suicide while participating in the protest. According to RTC sources, Reddy consumed paraquat and is critical while Venkanna is stable. The latter's attempt to set himself on fire was thwarted by his co-workers and police personnel at the protest site."Linga Reddy is also critical and currently being treated at a private hospital in Khammam," claimed his friend R Nagabhushanam, who also works in the same depot. TOI could not verify this independently.The RTC employees launched an indefinite strike on April 22 after talks with the Telangana govt to address 32 key demands failed. The staff has been demanding the RTC's merger with the state govt, a 30% salary fitment, better working conditions, clearing of outstanding dues, among other things.The Narsampet incident occurred around 12 pm when RTC employees had gathered at the depot to protest. Police said Goud, who was part of the group, suddenly pulled out a bottle of petrol from his bag, poured it on himself, and set himself ablaze."While his co-workers immediately intervened and tried to douse the flames, the driver had already suffered severe burn injuries," a Warangal police officer said, adding that Goud was initially taken to the Narsampet Govt Hospital. "As his condition was critical, he was shifted to MGM Hospital," the officer added.Narsampet police registered a case and have launched an investigation. They said Goud, a native of Khanapur mandal in Warangal district, has been a regular employee at the depot for the past 25 years.According to Dr Hareeshchandra Reddy, superintendent of MGM Hospital, Goud sustained 80% burns. "Once we stabilised him, we decided to move him to Hyderabad for better care," he said. Following the incident, TGSRTC employees in Narsampet blocked National Highway 565, leading to a traffic jam on the Khammam–Mahabubabad–Warangal stretch. A scuffle broke out between police and protesters, prompting police to cane the protesters.Some protesters also gheraoed MGM Hospital while Goud was being treated. They raised slogans against the state govt and demanded resolution of long-pending issues.Talks with RTC unions todayMeanwhile, following Thursday's cabinet meeting, information and public relations minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said that the govt was sympathetic to the concerns of RTC workers and will hold talks with them on Friday. A committee headed by deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka has been set up to hold discussions with the unions, he said.(Inputs by Ajay Tomar & Sunny Baski)
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