Scores of loco pilots and assistant loco pilots began a 48-hour hunger strike in Hubballi on Tuesday. This follows a call from the All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA) for a nationwide strike from December 2 to 4. They protest the administration’s continued apathy toward their 'just and legitimate grievances.' At the protest in front of the Divisional Railway Manager's office in Hubballi, leaders spoke about their problems. "Despite ensuring the safety of millions of railway passengers daily, our rightful demands remain unheard," said Division Secretary of AILRSA, T. Sabu. Other leaders, including Central Vice-President C. Sunish and Division Secretary of SWRMU Kumaravelu, also condemned the government’s ignoring of their issues. The workers said they are forced to work 12 hours continuously and four night shifts in a row. They highlighted long-term denial of daily rest of 16 hours and weekly rest of 30 hours. Duties have increased by adding tasks of train examiners, engineering staff, and traffic staff. Equipment failures add to their workload. A five-year ban on recruitment caused high vacancies, making every loco pilot work 20% extra. This pressure affects their personal lives and could threaten Indian Railways' safety. The staff urged authorities to resolve these demands quickly.