Private Buses Stay Off Roads In Koraput Over Death Of Two Employees

Photograph: Ashok Panda

Jeypore: Commuters across Koraput district had a harrowing time on Sunday following a strike called by members of Private Bus Employees’ Association over the death of two employees.

Most bus depots in the district wore a deserted look as all private buses remained stranded due to the strike.

The strike was called a day after driver Damuru Jani and conductor Tuna Padhi of a passenger bus (AP-31 TU 3769) were electrocuted at Palakaput under Sadar police limits in the district.

The agitators staged demonstrations and road blockades demanded adequate compensation for the bereaved families.

According to sources, the Saturday incident took place when the bus was on its way from Koraput to Jeypore to pick up a marriage party. Padhi had climbed atop the bus to remove a tree branch and came in contact with an overhead live power line when Jani pressed the accelerator a little bit to move the vehicle forward. Padhi died on the spot. Jani also fell off the bus and died as steering of the vehicle got charged.