It's complete shutdown in Khammam: TSRTC

Khammam: The day-long bandh called by the TSRTC JAC and supported by different political parties in erstwhile Khammam district on Monday was total and peaceful.

The bandh was called in protest and a tribute to Khammam TSRTC depot driver D Srinivas Reddy who died on Sunday at a private hospital in Hyderabad after a self-immolation bid on Saturday.

Buses were confined to depots at Khammam, Sathupalli, Madhira, Kothagudem, Manuguru and Bhadrachalam in the wake of the bandh. With the public transport system shutdown, public faced problems to commute. Private vehicles were also not operated till evening. The striking RTC employees and workers staged demonstrations along with leaders of different political parties at depots and bus stations in Khammam and Kothagudem districts. They also took out protest rallies in support of their demands. At Bhadrachalam, the protesting workers entered into a heated argument with police who objected to the protest in front of the bus stand. Similar incidents also reported at few places. The leaders of BJP, Congress and Left parties took part in the protests.

Shops and business establishments remained closed during the day in erstwhile Khammam district and were opened in the evening only. The police ensured tight bando-bust at all bus stations and depots in view of the bandh. The bandh impact was felt even in remote places like Cherla in Kothagudem district. Khammam Commissioner of Police Tafseer Iqbal said the bandh was peaceful and no untoward incidents were reported during the bandh.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister P Ajay Kumar in a statement here on Monday extended condolences to the bereaved family of RTC driver Srinivas Reddy. He said he was deeply moved on the driver's death.