TSRTC strike: Driver attempts to kill self over family’s financial state

As the strike by the employees of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) entered its 28th day on Friday, another TSRTC employee attempted to kill himself at his residence in Paleen village, Nagarkurnool. The man, identified as 37-year-old Mohammed Khaja, was a driver working in Shadnagar depot and was reportedly in a financial crisis. Khaja was admitted to hospital and his condition is reportedly stable. Khaja is among the 48,000 TSRTC employees who were 'self-dismissed' for protesting. Merging the TSRTC with the government is one of the demands of the protesting TSRTC workers. According to a report in the New Indian Express, Khaja was disturbed that his wife and children were forced to take the job of picking cotton to make ends meet. Earlier this week, two TSRTC workers -- Venkateshwarulu (a driver) from Nalgonda and Neeraja (a conductor) from Khammam killed themselves allegedly distressed over losing their jobs and non-payment of salaries. The TSRTC management is supposed to pay the salaries for the month of September, but they are yet to be disbursed. While at least four TSRTC workers had killed themselves, the JAC (a union of TSRTC employee unions) leaders alleged that a total of 15 people have died since the strike began. Bijinapally police told The Hindu that Khaja was rushed to a private hospital after preliminary treatment at a local hospital. The doctors reportedly told the police that he was out of danger. Meanwhile, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday held a review meeting with officials over the ongoing strike and to outline steps to provide more buses for commuters. The CM was also reportedly briefed about the proceedings in the High Court on Friday. On Friday, the Telangana High Court slammed TSRTC in-charge Managing Director Sunil Sharma for submitting a ‘vague’ affidavit. If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers: Telangana:  Telangana government suicide prevention toll free no - 104 Roshni- 040-66202000, 6620200SEVA- 09441778290, 040 - 27504682 (between 9 AM and 7 PM) Andhra Pradesh: Life Suicide Prevention Helpline No.78930-78930 Roshni Helpline 1: 9166202000 Helpline 2: 9127848584 Tamil Nadu: State health department suicide helpline number - 104 Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in TN Karnataka: Sahai : 24-hour helpline numbers: 080- 65000111, 080-65000222  Kerala: Maithri helpline - 0484-2540530 Chaithram helpline: 0484-2361161