A 60-year-old commuter died and hundreds were left stranded for over five hours in the State capital on Wednesday when employees of the Kerala State Transport Corporation (KSRTC) went on a flash strike demanding release of three personnel of the transport undertaking taken into custody by the police.

Surendran, who was waiting at the East Fort bus station from 12 noon for proceeding to his house fainted and collapsed around 2.30 p.m. As traffic was blocked, the ambulance taking him to the General Hospital got delayed on the way. He was declared dead on arrival.

Spreads to other depots

Hundreds of commuters, including those returning from hospitals, were put to hardship as the flash strike that began at the KSRTC’s East Fort bus station spread to Thampanoor and other depots crippling services.

The strike started after the Fort police took into custody KSRTC assistant transport officer N.K. Sam Lopez, inspector B. Rajendran and driver K. Suresh Kumar from East Fort. Mr. Lopez and others questioned the crew of private stage carriers operating in the Trikannapuram- Maruthurkadavau sector for devotees visiting the Attukal temple.

The police intervened after the verbal duel between the KSRTC personnel and the crew of the private stage carriers reached a flash point. A physically challenged cleaner of a private stage carrier complained that he was assaulted. Following this, the police took into custody Mr. Lopez and others.