Normal life was disrupted across several towns in Punjab’s Malwa region on Thursday as a complete shutdown was observed following a call by sanitation workers to protest alleged police lathicharge on their colleagues in Barnala. Markets and business establishments remained closed in response to the bandh, while sanitation workers and affiliated organisations staged demonstrations in various locations.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that protesters are demanding the dismissal of individuals held responsible for the lathicharge. They have also urged the state government to address the long-standing demands of sanitation workers and have warned of escalating their agitation if justice is not promptly delivered. The bandh, which received support from trader associations and social organisations, was scheduled to continue until the afternoon, significantly impacting commercial activities.
While banks, educational institutions, chemists, and dairies remained open at some places, protesters made appeals to shopkeepers who had kept their establishments functioning to close them in solidarity with the ongoing bandh.
The incident leading to the protest occurred on July 22 in Barnala, where clashes erupted between sanitation workers and the police. The district administration, with police assistance, had commenced lifting accumulated garbage during an ongoing sanitation workers’ strike. The workers reportedly opposed this move near SD College, which allegedly led to a police lathicharge. Subsequently, when protesters gathered at Handiaya Bazar and purportedly hurled garbage at the police, another lathicharge reportedly took place. A total of 18 sanitation workers and four policemen sustained injuries during these clashes.
The sanitation workers had been on strike prior to the July 22 incident, raising several issues including demands for regularisation of their services. The prolonged strike had resulted in a significant accumulation of garbage across the city.
Meanwhile, the Malwa region experienced rainfall on Thursday, which helped to lower temperatures and improve the weather conditions. However, waterlogging was reported in low-lying areas in some parts, causing temporary inconvenience to commuters.
The Chenab Times News Desk