Khammam: Thousands of workers and people received the body of RTC driver Devireddy Srinivas Reddy, who succumbed to his self-immolation attempt, at Warangal crossroads in Khamm-am at 6 pm on Sunday.
Congress former MP V. Hanumantha Rao, BJP Karimnagar MP Bandi Sanjay, RTC JAC convener Aswathama Reddy and co-convener Raji Reddy accompanied with body from Hyderabad. Leaders from the CPI, Congress, CPM, Telugu Desam, BJP and CPI (ML) New Democracy paid tributes to Srinivas Reddy.
RTC workers, who took part in the procession from Warangal crossroads to Srinivas Reddy’s residence at Raparthinagar raised slogans like ‘Srinivasa Reddy Amar Hai’, ‘Your sacrifice do not go waste’ and “A martyr lost to protect RTC’.
His wife Savitri, sons Saiabhiram Reddy and Sai Karithik Reddy, who are working in the Indian Air Force and the Army, were consoled by the leaders.
Tension prevailed at the Khammam bus depot and bus station and police personnel were posted to deal with any situation.
Mr Sanjay said Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and his ego were the reason for the death of Srinivas Reddy. He said the sacrifice will not go waste and Mr Rao should agree to talks with the RTC JAC.
Traffic on Bypass Road was disrupted stranded with the procession of Reddy’s body and
Drivers from various deports paid tributes by garlanding the body and took an oath that they would continue the protest tilll their demands are fulfilled. Mr Aswathama Reddy said Srinvas Reddy sacrificed his life for the welfare of RTC workers. “We will not forget his sacrifice and continue our strike”, he said.
RTC JAC leaders consulted with the family members on the last rites of Srinivas Reddy and it is decided to conduct them on Sunday night.
