KSRTC workers who were protesting against the arrest of one of their officials held the capital and its people hostage for the better part of the day. The drivers went on a lightning strike by parking buses right in the middle of the road blocking traffic. What followed was chaos, inflicting untold hardships to the people and the ill-fated passengers. People were seen running helter skelter trying to reach their destinations.

The resultant tension caused the death of a 65-year-old man. Although he was given first aid by a nurse, the delay in taking him to a hospital caused his death. The lightning strike was ended after the police agreed to release those who were taken into custody. But what the people of Thiruvananthapuram had to endure during those five hours was stuff straight from a typical horror movie.

Of course, such lightning strikes are nothing to new to the Kerala capital. A similar strike had occurred way back in 2018 causing massive traffic jams and hardships to the people. The then Managing Director of the KSRTC Tomy Thachankeri had recommended strict action against the leaders who masterminded the lightning strike. But nothing happened.

Had the government acted on his report, perhaps the incident on March 4, could have been averted. Of course, the Government has promised to take strict action against the guilty bus drivers. But the people are sceptical. The prevailing perception is that 2018 October would repeat and the guilty will get away scot-free.

The Government must not let that happen. The guilty must not go un punished. Inaction would only cause recurrence of the kind of incidents that rocked Thiruvananthapuram on March 4.

The Opposition has, understandably blamed it all on the Government. Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala who raised the issue in the Assembly said the Government did nothing to bring the situation under control. He had personally informed the Transport Minister of the serious situation. Not no action was taken, Ramesh alleged. That such incidents should take place right under the nose of the Government is nothing but a crime against the people and a capital shame.

The Government would, hopefully, learn appropriate lessons from the unsavoury incident which claimed a precious life. The least it can do to redeem its reputation is to take strict action. But will it? Kerala is waiting. (IPA Service)