Telangana buses run with police protection amidst ongoing RTC strike

Following a minor clash that erupted between police and a group of Road Transport Corporation (RTC) workers in Warangal district's Parakala town of Telangana, RTC buses are being run with police protection in the Gadwal city of the state. The state-wide strike has now continued for the 15th day on Saturday.

The clash ensued when the police prevented the RTC workers, along with leaders from several parties who gathered at the Parakala bus depot from trying to stop the buses from going on the road.

READ | TSRTC calls for statewide Bandh in Telangana on October 19

RTC against Telangana government

Over 48,000 RTC employees along with activists, leaders of the opposition parties, trade unions, teachers and workers have joined the protest against what they call 'dictatorial' attitude of Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. The state-wide bandh has been called by the RTC employees and joint action committee (JAC) of various unions. The protesters are asking the state government to fulfill the demands of the RTC workers.

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The Gandhi Medical Hospital Doctors Association, the Cab Drivers' Association, State Taxi, and Drivers Joint Action Committee, Auto Drivers Associations, Telangana Lecturers Joint Action Committee, the Telangana Deputy Collectors Association, the Mala Mahanadu, the Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi and All Trade Unions have announced participation in the bandh. 

Several politicians, people union leaders, and student union leaders are being taken into preventive custody in order to avoid any further untoward incident.

READ | Telangana HC directs State Govt, TSRTC employees to resolve issues

Ola, Uber drivers join the fight

The shutdown has affected the normal life in Hyderabad. Adding to the woes of the commuters, the Ola and Uber cab drivers have also gone on an indefinite strike from Saturday to press their demands of regularising the cab aggregator market. Nearly 50,000 cabs have gone off the roads as claimed by the drivers' association.

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Settle all disputes before Oct 28: HC

The Telangana High court has insisted the RTC to hold talks with its protesting employees and has directed the state government and the protestors to settle all disputes before October 28. Lawyers of the government have ruled out the possibility of any negotiation, but the High Court had directed the government to pay heed to the protesters and negotiate since half of the demands do not have any financial obligation.

(With ANI inputs)