KSRTC staffers have a field day, man dies in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A lightning strike by KSRTC employees paralysed the city for more than five hours on Wednesday.
Drivers parked buses haphazardly at East Fort and Thampanoor, causing traffic snarls that delayed even an ambulance rushing to the aid of a man who had collapsed at the bus shelter at East Fort.
The delay cost him his life. The man, Surendran T, 63, of Mylam, was waiting for a bus, when he collapsed. He died despite attempts to revive him at the scene and move him to the General Hospital.
Minister for transport A K Saseendran did not intervene until the employees called off the strike. He later ordered a probe by the district collector and promised action against the employees. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, it was learnt, expressed strong displeasure over the issue. The state human rights commission registered a suo motu case.
An altercation between private bus crew and KSRTC staff over parking the bus at the KSRTC bay for more than three minutes led to the strike.
As KSRTC employees objected, the issue flared up and the police intervened. Assistant transport office (city depot) Jacob Sam Lopez, inspector Rajendrean and driver Suresh were taken into custody. KSRTC employees soon reached the Fort Police Station, demanding their release. Several drivers left their buses on city roads before rushing to the police station.
The detained employees, who were later let off on station bail.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that the government stood as a mere spectator when the capital city was paralysed for several hours.