BMTC drivers and conductors stage a protest at the Shanthinagar depot on Tuesday. They accused the depot manager of harassment, which led to a driver attempting suicide. dh photo
BMTC drivers and conductors from two depots staged a flash protest in Shanthinagar on Tuesday alleging that harassment by a depot manager forced a driver to attempt suicide.
The staffers sat on a dharna in front of the depot manager’s office from 6 am to 10 am and shouted slogans against him. As the protesters stopped buses from exiting the depot, peak-hour operations were affected.
Senior officials rushed to the spot and persuaded the staffers to withdraw the protest following which buses were allowed to exit the depot.
Madhu, a driver attached to depot-2, is suspected to have consumed insecticide on Monday night. As his health deteriorated, he was rushed to Victoria Hospital.
“Madhu arrived late for work on Monday morning following which the depot manager served him a notice. He was not assigned any work. However, there was no harassment,” a senior BMTC official said.
The Wilson Garden police said they were aware of the incident but did not know the reason for the suicide attempt. “We will take a statement once the driver recovers,” they added.