Mahbubnagar: 1 RTC driver dies, while another attempts suicide

Mahbubnagar: With no respite to the agitating RTC employees who have been on strike for the last 28 days, many of the striking employees of the transport corporation are getting depressed and resorting to suicides. In Mahbubnagar district, one RTC driver died on Friday in a hospital while undergoing treatment for depression and ill-health.

In a second incident, Mohammad Khaja (37), a resident of Nagarkurnool district working as RTC driver in Shadnagar depot, consumed pesticide and attempted suicide at his home. His condition is said to be critical. It is said that Khaja was facing a financial crisis and with the State government not relenting, the driver went into depression and with fear of losing his job, he had resorted to suicide.

In the first case, Krishnaiah Goud (55) from Bandamidipally village of Mahbubnagar district was working as a RTC driver in Mahbubnagar depot. Krishnaiah went into deep depression after the RTC unions launched the strike. As the strike period prolonged, he went into depression which further deteriorated his health. Two days ago, he was hospitalised and breathed his last on Friday.

The RTC union leaders are blaming the government for the death of innocent RTC workers. "The State government's adamant and insensitive attitude towards the RTC workers is forcing the innocent RTC workers to commit suicides. We are demanding the government to immediately address our issues and help the RTC workers retain their jobs," said the protesting RTC workers in Mahbubnagar.

Congress leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy from Nagarkurnool, BJP leader Bangaru Sruthi and others visited the hospital and consoled the family members of the deceased driver. Nagam said the State government should take the responsibility for the deaths.

In Wanaparthy, the RTC employees took to begging and staged a protest at Dharna Chowk and raised slogans against the State government.