TSRTC protest: Seven cops injured in stone-pelting, over 1,200 nabbed

As many as seven policemen were injured after the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) employees on Saturday pelted stones at the cops while staging a protest march near Tank Bund. Over 1,200 people have been arrested so far, said Hyderabad Police Commissioner. A few protesters also sustained injuries during the 'Million March' by TSRTC employees. The demonstration was supported by opposition parties of the state.

According to the police, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of TSRTC employees supported by some frontal organisations of Maoists and their allies like PDSU, RSU along with opposition political parties had sought permission to stage the 'Chalo Tank Bund' protest. However, the request was turned down by the police.

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Speaking to the media the Hyderabad City Commissioner of Police Anjani Kumar said, "The RTC employees violated the police order and mobilized various people from several districts of Telangana. They tried to come to the Tank Bund area but they were prevented by the police successfully. The protesters pelted stones at the police officers and seven police personnel got injured including senior officers of the rank of Additional DCP and ACP."

"In order to stop the violent mob, police lathi-charged the protestors and dispersed the crowd. Cases have been registered against the leaders and those who participated in stone-pelting and mob violence. Over 1266 people have been arrested so far," he added.

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The Telangana High Court had on Thursday directed the state government to hold discussions with the striking employees of the TSRTC to resolve the over the one-month long strike. The High Court also expressed its displeasure over the mismatch of information about TSRTC in the government's submission before it and posted the case for hearing on November 11.

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TSRTC strike has been going on over a month now

The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) strike has been going on over a month now. The employees started a strike on October 5. The Transport Corporation Joint Action Committee has been demanding for the merger of the Regional Transport Committee with the Telangana government. They are also asking for prohibition of electric buses.

According to reports, ever since the beginning of the strike, more than 2,000 busses have remained grounded in the state. After the TSRTC employee, Srinivas Reddy, who died after allegedly immolating himself, protests also broke out in different parts of the city and other places, with employees raising slogans and holding the state government responsible for his death. Further, the employees are also blaming the government for not taking any action even after two TSRTC employees have died.

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(with ANI inputs)