Hyderabad: RTC JAC leaders Ashwathama Reddy, K. Raji Reddy were arrested by the Hyderabad police while they paying tributes at the Gun Park which is located opposite the Telangana Assembly building on Monday. RTC JAC leaders expressed their anger over their arrests when they had gone to pay tributes to the martyrs at the Gun Park memorial as a sign of protest. Condemning their arrest, they said it was an outrage and their arrest was illegal.

The arrested JAC leaders were taken to different police stations. JAC Convenor Ashwathama Reddy has been shifted to Mahakali Police Station while JAC Co-Convenor Raji Reddy has been shifted to Saifabad Police Station. Police have been deployed to prevent the leaders of the trade unions from reaching the RTC union office. The arrested JAC leaders were later released by the police.

Tension prevailed as a large number of RTC workers flocked to pay homage at the Gun Park memorial on Monday. With RTC workers reaching the place, police were called in and they started arresting RTC workers. Police said that they were not given permissions to conduct Dharnas and protests leading to their arrests. The RTC JAC leaders who wanted to go on a hunger strike to meet their demands postponed the fast after police refused permission.

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had on Sunday said employees who did not join duty before the deadline (6 pm on Saturday) set by the government would not be taken back. His statement comes a day after the state government declared the indefinite strike as "illegal" and rejected their demands for a merger with it.

"As it is there are less than 1,200 employees in the RTC," he had said indicating that those who have not reported for duty before the deadline, would be losing their jobs.

TSRTC JAC leaders clarified that the agitating workers have not received any dismissal or suspension notice from the government or the management of RTC. There are laws in this country. We have been appointed as per rules. They cannot remove us just like that," they said. If need be will approach courts , the JAC leaders clarified.

Also Read: Telangana CM: RTC Strike Illegal,Will Not Be Merged With Govt