Thousands of commuters have been hit by a DTC bus strike after a driver was beaten to death on Sunday
A day after a driver of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) was beaten to death allegedly by a biker in a case of road rage, drivers of the state-run bus service stayed off roads in protest, causing problems for thousands of commuters and schoolchildren.
Ashok Kumar, 42, died on Sunday morning after Vijay, a young man whose bike he had grazed, climbed onto his bus and allegedly bludgeoned him with his helmet. Investigations suggest Vijay and his mother fell when the bus hit their motorcycle in Mundka in west Delhi.
Vijay was arrested late last night. His mother was arrested today for allegedly inciting him throughout.
Around 40 passengers in the bus allegedly watched without helping as the 22-year-old biker beat the driver mercilessly and then fled, leaving him bleeding and unconscious. The police are investigating whether Vijay also bashed the driver's head in with a fire extinguisher kept in the bus.
Ashok Kumar, a resident of Haryana, was a father of two. The Delhi government has announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh for his family. It has also promised a job for one family member. Kumar's son, who is in college, now has to look after his paralysed mother and younger sister.
Most DTC buses remained off the roads as drivers demanded at least one crore compensation for Ashok Kumar's family, and better safety measures.
Several schools relying on DTC buses alerted parents this morning that they would have to make their own arrangements to pick up and drop children. Commuters were scrambling for autorickshaws, taxis or metros.
Closer to afternoon, a few buses started working. DTC officials assured that all buses would soon be back on the road.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has asked for a report on the accident and the safety of bus staff and passengers in buses.