In a relief to Namma Metro rail users in Bengaluru, normal metro services were restored by 12 noon on Friday after the BMRCL staff withdrew their flash strike. The strike was called off after arrested BMRCL workers were released on bail, and the state government sent an envoy to discuss the issue with the striking workers.
Metro services were shut in the Baiyappanahalli-Nayandahalli (Purple line) connection due to an overnight protest against the arrest of six Metro workers on Thursday.
Congress’s NA Harris, MLA from Shantinagar constituency, brokered the deal and assured the BMRCL staff that their demands will be heard, after which they agreed to call off the strike.
The six BMRCL workers who were arrested were released on bail just ahead of the talks.
The workers were arrested after they allegedly assaulted Karnataka State Industrial Security Force (KSISF) constables including one woman at the Sir M Visvesvaraya Metro Station (Central College).
The fight was a fallout over purported ‘overbearing attitude’ of the KSISF personnel.