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.
