Karnataka: Bus workers' strike enters sixth day

Bus services in Karnataka were hampered for the sixth consecutive day on Monday as the road transport corporation workers continued their strike demanding implementation of the sixth pay commission.

Bengaluru:Bus services in Karnataka were hampered for the sixth consecutive day on Monday as the road transport corporation workers continued their strike demanding implementation of the sixth pay commission.

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Workers from the four transport corporations in the state -- Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), North-East Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NEKRTC), North West Road Transport Corporation (NWRTC) and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) -- along with their spouses and children, banged plates and tumblers in a symbolic protest to show they were starving without money, even to fulfil a basic need such as food. The workers said they have decided to stage demonstrations at district and taluk centres, in front of the office of the tehsildars and deputy commissioner, against the government's stand.

In Bengaluru, at least 30 employees and their family members were detained by the police. In Bellary, the district deputy commissioner clamped CrPC Section 144 till midnight.

As most of the workers did not turn up for work, several buses remained off roads. Only few RTC employees showed up and operated buses. Private buses - large and mini, and maxi cabs were seen ferrying people.

The Karnataka government had on April 9 prohibited the strike under the Industrial Disputes Act and detained their leader Kodihalli Chandrashekar in Belagavi.