The KSRTC Staff and Workers' Federation announced suspension of the strike in the state, after the Karnataka High Court, on Tuesday, came down heavily on the transport strike despite its interim order and warned of contempt proceedings.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi expressed strong displeasure over the strike being held out despite the invocation of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and the court's direction not to proceed with the agitation.
The court warned that the decision to continue the strike would not be tolerated and would initiate contempt proceedings against the union leaders.
KSRTC Staff and Workers' Federation president H.V. Anantha Subbarao said the strike had been suspended till August 7 and employees had been asked to return to work immediately.
The strike on Tuesday had left people in the lurch as buses remained parked at depots and only a few were seen running.
Some buses in rural areas operated as a few drivers opted to work for the convenience of students to ferry them to their schools, said sources in the transport department.
Due to disruption in bus services, attendance in schools, colleges and offices was thin in many parts of the state.
Bus stands in major cities like Chikkamagaluru, Raichur, Chitradurga, Hubballi, Dharwad, Belagavi, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Tumakuru, Hassan, Madikeri, Shivamogga, and Kalaburagi saw heavy passenger rush, with thousands stranded and struggling to find alternate ways to reach their destinations.