In the wake of attacks on temporary TSRTC drivers and conductors, police have warned the protestors against violence. While Hyderabad police have said that they would file specific cases and ensure a speedy trial through fast track courts, the Rachakonda police too warned of similar action.
Speaking to TNM, Hyderabad Commissioner, Anjani Kumar said, “Violence is totally unacceptable. If anyone is caught assaulting the driver or conductor or anyone else, we will book them under specific sections, and seek speedy trials. Separate cases under relevant sections would be booked against those who obstruct the buses.”
Similarly, Rachakonda commissioner, Mahesh Bhagwat said, “We are taking a serious view of this violence. The protests can be democratic without resorting to violence, else stringent action would be taken.” He added that the Rachakonda police have filed 11 cases so far.
Though the JAC has been appealing the protesting workers to persuade the temporary workers against working with ‘love by giving roses’, there have been stray incidents of violence against the temporary drivers and conductors hired by the government.
As the 48,000 odd workers are on an indefinite strike, the government has hired temporary drivers and conductors to operate the public transport and accommodate the passengers. However, the TSRTC is unable to run all the full fleet of buses at its avail.
While the TSRTC had 10,000 odd buses, on Monday, it could operate only 5,228 buses. The shortage of buses has been causing extreme inconvenience and burning holes in the pockets of those who are preferring alternate transportation like the Metro, auto rickshaws or cabs. Though Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had earlier assured that the government will resolve the crisis by October 19, by running all the buses at its avail. However, the crisis continues, affecting students and passengers. Due to the shortage of buses, metros are also witnessing jam-packed crowds.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar has instructed the officials to operate the entire fleet of buses at the earliest and also provide tickets.