Striking RTC Driver Dies In Hyderabad Hospital

Shankar Goud, a 55-year-old RTC driver from Narsampet who attempted suicide while advocating for the resolution of workers' grievances during the Telangana RTC workers' strike, succumbed to his injuries at around 2:30 am today.

During the Maha Dharna protest organised by the RTC JAC, Goud had set himself on fire at a bus stand. Fellow workers quickly extinguished the flames and rushed him to the DRDO Apollo Hospital in Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad. Despite receiving treatment, he passed away.

His family has since transported his remains to their hometown of Muthojipet in Khanapuram mandal.

Goud is survived by his wife Latha, son Hemanth and daughter Shamili.

In response to his death, the RTC JAC has called for a bandh in the erstwhile Warangal district.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the incident. He expressed regret that a decision taken in a moment of impulse had plunged the family into deep grief, and assured the bereaved family that he would stand by them and that the government would extend all possible support.

The CM reiterated that the government was holding discussions with the RTC workers and making sincere efforts to resolve their demands.

Hyderabad District Congress Committee (DCC) President Syed Khalid Saifullah urged striking Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) employees to call off their agitation and return to work, stressing that most of their demands had already been addressed.

During his visit to the Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS), Saifullah said that 29 out of 32 demands were acceptable and under resolution, indicating the government's commitment to employee welfare.

He spoke about key measures taken by the government, including timely salary payments, clearance of pending PRC and DA dues, and reduction of Provident Fund and CCS liabilities. A high-level committee had been formed to examine the remaining issues, including RTC merger and union recognition, he said.

BRS working president K T Rama Rao described the death of Goud as a murder by the State government. He alleged that it was not a suicide but a consequence of the Congress government's "betrayal" of RTC workers over the past two and a half years. He demanded justice for the family and urged the government to provide compensation of Rs 1 crore and a government job to the family.

Union Minister Bandi Sanjay expressed deep shock over the driver's death and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family. He said that the driver resorted to suicide due to the government's failure to address RTC workers' issues, and alleged that Goud's death was a government-sponsored killing.