Attack on RTC staff in Mysuru triggers strike

KOZHIKODE: The passengers to Mysore and Bangalore were stranded after the conductors and drivers of KSRTC buses operating on the Mysore-Bangalore route went  on a lightning strike on Saturday morning.   All the buses,  including that of the Karnataka RTC, failed to operate their services.   The reservation counter of Karnataka RTC was also forcibly closed down by the striking employees. They were protesting  against the attack on  three employees of KSRTC by a  group of Karnataka RTC workers  following a dispute over using the toilet  at the Mysuru bus stand in the morning.  

The three employees, V. Vijayan, A. Baburaj (both from Kozhikode depot) and Muhammed Musthafa of Mananthavadi depot were beaten up by the group headed by the Mysuru KSRTC traffic controller. The incident took place when driver Vijayan who went to the toilet was prevented by the Karnataka staff saying that the Kerala RTC staff were not permitted to use the toilets.  When he questioned them,  he was beaten up by the traffic controller and others.   The other two,  who  tried to save Vijayan, were  also assaulted.    

The Kerala staff were  not  allotted separate toilet facilities in Mysuru, while in Kerala  the Karnataka staff enjoy all facilities, including rest room and toilets, it was pointed out. KSRTC zonal manager Joshy John told DC that the strike was called off by 5 p.m. after discussions were held between officials of Karnataka RTC, KSRTC union leaders and the authorities.  The Mysuru police  registered a case against the  Karnataka  staff who had indulged in violence, he added.