High Tension As RTC Employee Who Burnt Self Dies

In what could further worsen the standoff between the Telangana Government and the striking RTC unions, RTC driver Devireddy Srinivas Reddy, who set himself ablaze on Saturday evening in Khammam, died during the treatment. Reddy, a driver, was upset at the way the Government was dealing with the demands of the RTC, set himself on fire at his home. He was immediately rushed to the Khammam government hospital and from there he was shifted to the DRDO hospital in Khammam.

The police and the administration barred the entry of RTC unions and employees into the hospital. Only the kin of Reddy were allowed. He was kept on life support system but finally succumbed to the severe burn injuries.  After the news of his death was announced, there was high tension at the hospital with hundreds of employees staging a dharna in front of the hospital holding KCR responsible for the death of Reddy. The police lathicharged the employees and took several of them into custody.

On knowing about the news of Reddy's death, TJS chief Prof. Kodandaram, RTC JAC convener Ashwatthama Reddy and CPI state secretary Chada Venkat Reddy rushed to the hospital. Meanwhile, there are signs that the RTC strike could further be intensified what with the Government adopting an unusually tough stance on the issue.