Bengaluru: Police arrests nine for enforcing strike on BMTC staff

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], December 13 (ANI): Two FIRs have been registered here in Upparpet Police Station and nine arrests have been made for an assault on-duty staffers of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC).
The FIRs were lodged in connection with the state transport department's strike on Saturday.
"In yesterday's incidents, 2 FIRs registered in Upparpet Police Station, for assaulting BMTC staff on duty and for preventing staff from operating buses and threatening those who came to work. Nine persons were arrested," said Deputy Superintendent of Police (DCP), West.
Scores of commuters faced problems on Saturday as the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation's (KSRTC) held strike amid demands of the staff to be considered as government employees.
"I came from Mysuru for some official work. Unfortunately, from yesterday we are stuck here without transportation. It is very difficult for the public to travel from here to there. They should give notice to people in advance so that they can plan accordingly," said Manjunath from Mysuru who stuck in Shivamogga on Saturday.
Another disgruntled commuter stuck in Shivamogga had said, "We are stuck here and no one is giving proper answer."
This comes as the state transport staff are seeking government employee status and privileges as provided to the government employees.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Transport Minister Laxman Savadi on Friday held a meeting with the union leader of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation and KSRTC regarding their strike. However, the talks remained inconclusive. (ANI)