E. Ashwathama Reddy, the Convenor of the Joint Action Committee (JAC,) went on an indefinite hunger strike on the 16th of November.
On the 16th of November, Ashwathama Reddy said he would stage the hunger strike until the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) holds talks with the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) employees and JAC.
After dropping their major demand of merging the TSRTC and the State Government, the TSRTC JAC leaders urged the TRS Government to hold talks about the TSRTC employees’ remaining demands. However, the State Government did not respond to the request.
The Telangana Police deployed high security at Ashwathama Reddy’s residence in Urmila Nagar, Meerpet, to prevent him from staging a protest at Indra Park, Hyderabad.
Despite the beefed up security, Ashwathama is all set to go on the indefinite hunger strike. Ashwathama said he would continue the strike even if the Police arrests him.
The Telangana Police tightened the security at the RTC Cross Road, Bus Bhavan, VST, Ramnagar Cross Road and Vidyanagar.
Besides, security was also deployed at the Employees’ Union office and the Telangana Jathiya Mazdoor Union (TJMU) office.
Meanwhile, opposition parties like the Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) and the Indian National Congress (INC) urged the State Government to hold talks with the TSRTC employees.
The TSRTC strike entered its 43rd day on the 16th of November.
Stay tuned for further updates.
