Tragic Death of RTC Driver Intensifies Telangana Strike Crisis
Telangana RTC Strike: Hours Before Talks With Govt, 55-Year-Old Driver Dies After Self-Immolation
News 18
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Kola Shankar Goud, a 55-year-old driver with the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC), died after self-immolating during ongoing protests over unresolved demands, including salary and job security. His death has escalated tensions ahead of government talks with union leaders.
- 01Kola Shankar Goud died from severe burns after self-immolation during the RTC strike.
- 02The strike began on April 22, driven by demands for salary and job security.
- 03Goud had served TGSRTC for 25 years and was frustrated by unfulfilled promises.
- 04The Joint Action Committee blamed the state government for the incident.
- 05The government has initiated talks with union leaders in response to the crisis.
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Kola Shankar Goud, a 55-year-old driver with the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC), succumbed to injuries from self-immolation during protests related to an ongoing indefinite strike that began on April 22. Goud, who had worked for TGSRTC for 25 years, set himself on fire at the Narsampet depot in Warangal district, expressing frustration over unresolved demands including the merger of TGSRTC with the state government, salary issues, and job security. His act of desperation occurred just hours before scheduled talks between union leaders and the government. Following the incident, the Joint Action Committee criticized the state government and Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar for failing to address key employee concerns, claiming that only 29 of 32 demands had been met. In light of Goud's tragic death, the government has formed a committee led by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka to facilitate discussions with union representatives, although the situation remains tense and complex.
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Goud's death has intensified the ongoing RTC strike, potentially affecting public transportation services in Telangana.
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