RTC Managing Director Mr Prasada Rao told journalists in Hyderabad today that the organization suffered a huge revenue loss of Rs.8 Cr on the first of day of the RTC employees joining the mass general strike in the Telangana area.

“The government asked us to make alternative arrangements to ensure that people do not suffer because of the strike and we will take a decision soon on the issue,” he said.

Meanwhile, leaders of the JAC of the Telangana RTC employees said today that the strike by their employees would continue till Telangana state is formed. “If the government tries to scuttle the strike with police force, we will retaliate seriously,” said the JAC leaders who are on a dharna opposite the Bus Bhavan, headquarters of the RTC.

The leaders have also warned the government against the idea of retrenching the contract workers who have joined the strike. At most of the RTC depots in the Telangana area, students and RTC staff played games and made merry of the strike aimed at achieving Telangana state.

In some areas of Hyderabad and other districts of Telangana, employees of the electricity department also extended their support to the mass general strike and boycotted their duties.

Demand to release arrested leaders

Telangana political JAC leaders today demanded the immediate release of students and others arrested by the police in the last four days.

Congress leader, Mr Keshava rao and JAC leader Prof Kodanda Ram asked the government to order police to release the arrested leaders without any delay or face the consequences. “The government will be squarely held responsible for any consequences if they are not released,” they warned.

In another development, the TRS leader Mr Harish rao said that the blockade of national high ways will continue indefinitely till the formation of the separate state is announced.