A tragic incident in Narsampet of Warangal district has triggered widespread tension and unrest across the state following the death of RTC driver Kola Shankar Goud (56), who succumbed to severe burn injuries late Thursday night while undergoing treatment at a DRDO Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad after sustaining over 80% burns during the ongoing RTC strike. His death has plunged the region into deep mourning, with grief-stricken scenes reported from his native village Muttojipet.
The mortal remains of Shankar Goud were shifted to Muttojipet on Friday morning, drawing a large number of RTC workers, colleagues, and local residents who gathered to pay their last respects. A driver with over 25 years of service, he is survived by his wife Hemalatha, daughter Shamili, and son Hemanth, leaving the family in a state of distress and uncertainty.
The incident has also sparked a strong political reaction, with opposition parties holding the government responsible for the death and demanding accountability. Protests intensified across the district, with bandh calls issued in Narsampet by BJP and BRS, while the RTC Joint Action Committee called for a district-wide shutdown, further escalating tensions. Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar is expected to visit the bereaved family.
Tension escalated further as RTC workers insisted on taking the body to the Narsampet depot to pay homage, leading to a standoff with police. Authorities, citing intelligence inputs and potential law and order concerns, denied permission for the procession, while workers argued that Shankar Goud deserved a final tribute at his workplace where he had served for decades.
Heavy police deployment has been made in Narsampet town and along the Muttojipet route to prevent any untoward incidents, with barricades set up at multiple points and shops remaining closed amid the bandh. The situation continues to remain volatile, with uncertainty prevailing over whether authorities will allow workers to carry out homage at the depot.