Avila Naresh was working as a bus driver with the Mahabubabad bus depot for 15 years. On Wednesday, Naresh died by suicide at his home, as he had not received his salary for two months and feared losing his job altogether. This, as the state government has refused to budge on the transport workers’ demands as the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) employees’ strike enters its 40th day.
In his suicide note, Naresh reportedly addressed Chief Minister KCR, asking him to look into the demands of the protesting workers as promised earlier.
Following self killing of TSRTC driver from Mahbubabad depot, his colleagues headed to Depot pushing aside the barricades set up by #Police. Today TSRTC strike entered into 40days.#tsrtcstrike #Telangana pic.twitter.com/2ojmeJC4i5
— CharanTeja (@CharanT16) November 13, 2019
With the news of Naresh’s death, hundreds of TSRTC employees, activists, and political party workers have taken his body to the Mahabubabad bus depot, where they are staging a dharna, demanding justice. Naresh’s family is also part of the protest. With tensions rising, police have stepped up security measures.
TSRTC staff stages protest in front of the Mahbubabad bus depot. Avila Naresh (40) who is driver with RTC for last 15 years killed self. He is said to be depressed as he didn't get salaries for last two months.#tsrtcstrike #Telangana pic.twitter.com/m3ZB1LWGRD
— CharanTeja (@CharanT16) November 13, 2019
Naresh’s death increases the RTC workers’ suicide tally following the standoff to four. However, TSRTC staff unions say that more than 10 people have died due to cardiac arrests and strokes.
District SP Koti Reddy speaking to media said that the note allegedly written by Naresh before his death has been taken and is being examined. He said that the concerns and demands for ex gratia to Naresh’s family were brought to the District Collector’s notice.
The TSRTC employees have been protesting for 40 days now, demanding several things, chief among them a merger of the corporation with the government, better pay, and work conditions. The government has however not agreed to discuss the merger. The employees continued their strike after the government rejected their demands and set deadlines twice for them to return to work. Only about 1,300 employees rejoined duty.
The stalemate continued even after Telangana High Court directed the government and TSRTC to initiate steps to resolve the issue. Both the government and employees are sticking to their stand. On Monday, the HC said that it would set up a three-member committee of retired Supreme Court Judges to resolve the matter.
The government is yet to respond to the suggestion, while Joint Action Committee (JAC) of TSRTC employees which is spearheading the strike has welcomed the suggestion.
(With IANS inputs)