Only 1 employee joins duty in Gadwal, rest still on the warpath

Mahbubnagar: The RTC strike is getting more and more intense with every passing day. After Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao's order to the RTC employees to join their duties by November 5, except one employee in Gadwal, remaining staff defying the order continued their strike which entered 32nd day on Tuesday.

In Gadwal, the RTC employees conducted their protest in a unique manner donning the makeup of 'Poturaju' and staged a protest in front of Gadwal RTC bus stand and depot. They later formed human chain all along the RTC bus stand premises and raised slogans against the State government's adamant attitude for not resolving the demands of RTC employees.

In Achampet mandal of Nagarkurnool district, the RTC employees formed human chains and staged a protest. Speaking on the occasion, the RTC employees observed that instead of solving the problems and resolving the long-pending issues of the Corporation and its employees, the TRS government was resorting to mind games and further instigating the RTC employees. This attitude of the State government will only backfire in the long run. "Instead of holding talks with the RTC employees, the KCR government is setting deadlines for them and trying to disintegrate the unity of the RTC employees. We will not budge to the tactics of the government and will continue our strike until the government agrees to resolve our issues," said the protesting employees.

In Narayanpet district, the district administration arranged counters at RDO office and district Collectorate facilitating the RTC employees who join their duties. However, till evening, no one has turned up to resume their duties.

Meanwhile, the CPI leaders along with Congress party supporters extended their support to the protesting RTC employees and suggested them not to fear KCR's threats and do not get demoralised and stand united to win their rights and justified demands. "KCR is playing mind games to demoralise the RTC employees. They have been on strike for the last 32 days, but the Chief Minster instead of calling them for talks and abide by labour laws and the Constitution, is adopting blackmail and threatening tactics to disintegrate the unity of the RTC employees. It is unfortunate that the Chief Minister's attitude is going against the employees and labourers in this State. We are demanding the Chief Minister at least now call the RTC unions for talks and resolve their issues," said Paramesh Goud, CPI district secretary, Mahbubnagar.