A wave of shock and anger has spread across Telangana as an RTC driver, participating in the ongoing state-wide strike, attempted suicide by setting himself on fire in Narsampet, Warangal district. The driver, identified as Kola Shankar Goud, doused himself with petrol and lit a match right in front of the Narsampet bus stand. Bystanders and fellow workers immediately rushed to his aid, extinguishing the flames before rushing him to the MGM Hospital in Warangal. His condition is currently reported to be critical as doctors battle to save his life.
The incident occurred during the second day of the RTC strike, where workers are demanding the merger of the RTC with the government and better working conditions. Shankar Goud had reportedly been depressed over the state government’s perceived indifference toward their protests and the lack of concrete assurances regarding their welfare. Fellow RTC employees expressed deep fury following the incident, accusing the government of pushing workers to such extreme measures by refusing to engage in meaningful dialogue.
Tensions have escalated across various depots in the state following the news of the suicide attempt. Scuffles between protesters and the police have been reported in several areas, with videos of police high-handedness during the strike going viral on social media. While the government has hinted at forming a ministerial committee to look into the grievances, the striking workers maintain that they will not back down until their primary demands are met, warning that the state’s transport system will remain paralyzed.
