A flash strike by the KSRTC employees put hundreds of passengers to inconvenience for over six hours on Monday.

The alleged misbehaviour and verbal abuse on the part of an assistant sub-inspector against the driver of a superfast bus plying between Pathanamthitta and Pulpally had led to the strike.

The strike was declared by the KSRTC employees following the police move to take M Shajahan, driver of Pathanmthitta-Pulpally superfast and A Siju, conductor of a bus plying in the Kozhikode-Sulthan Bathery route into custody alleging that the superfast bus caused traffic congestion at Moffussil bus stand.


The incident occurred around 12 pm as the ASI and another police person on duty approached the superfast bus. Shajahan was pulled out of the bus by the police and was slapped, alleged V S Indukumar, office-bearer of KSRTC Employees Association. Siju was distributing tickets to the passengers in another bus when he was dragged out, said Indukumar, adding that the duo was later taken to Kasaba police station.

As the KSRTC employees declared the strike and started raising slogans, the police took four Union leaders – Indukumar, K Jyothimohan, Sabu Lal and A Nikhil into custody.

The strike landed the passengers to Manathawady, Thottilpalam, Sulthan Batheri and other places in trouble for hours as the number of private buses to these places is scarce.

Besides, the traffic congestion at the stand following the clash between the police and KSRTC employees prevented private buses from entering the Moffussil stand.

The strike was called off at 7pm after the district police chief Kozhikode city assured the KSRTC employees that he would seek a report from the special branch about the issue. The district police also assured not to charge case against them until the special branch submit the report. Meanwhile, Kasaba police claimed that they had to take the driver and the conductor into custody as they clashed with each other at the bus stand.

Times of India

SHARE