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.