The Andhra Pradesh Public Transport Department (APPTD) RTC employees' union has made a fervent appeal to the state government, urging immediate and stringent legal measures against unruly passengers who physically assault on-duty RTC staff. This call to action comes in the wake of a disturbing surge in such incidents reported over recent months, a trend that union leaders directly link to the implementation of the free bus travel scheme for women passengers.
A Plea for Protection and Justice
In formal representations submitted on Sunday, the union dispatched written and emailed letters to Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha and the Director General of Police (DGP). The core demand is a directive to the police department to register First Information Reports (FIRs) under non-bailable sections against individuals who attack government employees while they are performing their official duties. Furthermore, the union has insisted on the mandatory remand of such offenders to judicial custody, emphasizing the need for a strong deterrent.
Escalating Violence Post-Scheme Launch
Union President P Damodar Rao and General Secretary GV Narasayya presented a grim picture, stating that hundreds of attacks on RTC staff have been documented since the free travel initiative was rolled out. They attribute this alarming rise not just to passenger behavior, but to a perceived lack of stringent legal and departmental follow-up actions by the police against the culprits. This perceived impunity, they argue, has emboldened offenders.
Preventive Measures and a Recent Case
The union leaders revealed that for the past four months, they have repeatedly requested the RTC management to install prominent warning boards in all buses and at bus stations. These notices would clearly caution passengers that assaulting on-duty staff is a criminal offense that will invite serious legal consequences.
To underscore the urgency of their demands, the union cited a recent incident from Saturday. A woman conductor from the Narasaraopet depot in Palnadu district was allegedly assaulted by a female passenger after the bus failed to stop at her desired location. The union is demanding strict and immediate action against the accused in this specific case, viewing it as a test of the authorities' commitment to staff safety.
The union's appeal highlights a critical challenge at the intersection of public welfare schemes and the safety of frontline workers, calling for a balanced approach that protects both passenger benefits and employee rights.
