Hyderabad, April 24 (IANS) The government of Telangana has announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh for the family of Shankar Goud, a driver of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) who committed self-immolation during the ongoing strike by TGSRTC employees.​

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar also announced a house for the family under the Indiramma scheme and a job opportunity for one eligible family member.​

The minister appealed to the leaders of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of TGSRTC employees to take the initiative in ensuring that the final rites are conducted smoothly.

He also urged opposition parties to refrain from politicising the issue and to stand by the family during this difficult time.​

Shankar Goud set himself ablaze during the protest at Narsampet depot in Warangal district on Thursday. He sustained 80 per cent burns and succumbed early Friday morning at Apollo DRDO Hospital in Hyderabad while undergoing treatment.​

Shankar Goud’s family members and TGSRTC employees tried to shift Shankar Goud’s body to Narsampet depot to pay homage, but they were stopped by police, leading to tension in Muthojipet in Narsampet mandal.​

Leaders of the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also supported the deceased’s family and TGSRTC employees.​

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar also reached Muthojipet to support the driver’s family. He questioned the police over their objection to taking the body to the Narsampet depot.

He urged police officials to respect the wishes of the deceased’s family and allow them to shift the mortal remains.​

Bandi Sanjay also spoke to the Warangal Police Commissioner and found fault with the police for stopping the TGSRTC employees from shifting the body to Narasampet depot.

He said Shankar Goud served at the depot for 22 years and that other employees there want to pay their respects to him.​

Later, police officials held talks with the family of Shankar Goud and JAC leaders. The family agreed to perform the last rites without shifting the body to the Narsampet depot. This defused the tense situation.​

Bandi Sanjay also left Muthojipet, saying the decision of Shankar Goud’s family is final.​

–IANS

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