Defying orders of the Hyderabad High Court to end the strike on immediate basis, about 1.20 lakh employees of Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) continued their strike in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on the fifth day on Sunday.
The striking employees staged protest before the bus depots and stations across the two States. At Suryapet Bus Depot in Nalgonda district, the employees staged semi-nude protest and were later taken into custody by the police. In Kukatpally, the RTC staff protested by adoring a flower on their ears. At other places, they prevented the management from plying buses using contract drivers and conductors.
Meanwhile, the representatives of Telangana Mazdoor Union and Employees Union called on Finance Minister Eatala Rajender and Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy seeking resolution of their problems. TMU President Ashwathama Reddy complained against the attitude of RTC Managing Director N Sambasiva Rao. He accused officials of misleading the State Government and claimed that payment of 43 per cent fitment would not burden the government.
The ministers urged the union leaders to end the strike immediately. They assured that they would apprise Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao about their concerns.
Speaking to media persons later, the Home Minister said that the unions have been asked not to cause any damage to the RTC property and the police personnel too have directed not to register the cases against striking employees.
The union leaders also met Transport Minister P Mahender Reddy who asked them to withdraw the strike as per the directions of the High Court. (INN)