Patiala, July 15:- MGNREGA employees, who have been struggling for the regularization of their services by merging them into the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats and demanding the release of their pending salaries for the last 6-8 months, held a protest today outside the residence of Panchayat Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond. The protest had been pre-informed to the police administration in writing, through media, and via a meeting with Senior Superintendent of Police, Ms. Darpan Ahluwalia.
When the employees gathered at Municipal Park today, the turnout was massive, leading to some logistical challenges. The employees demanded that the administration resolve their issues. When no administrative official arrived, the union announced a march and a sit-in outside the Panchayat Minister’s residence after a 30-minute deadline. As the protesters marched towards the residence, the administration stopped them by placing barriers. The employees began their protest from that spot. After waiting for an hour, some employees fainted due to the heat and had to be hospitalized.
When the union requested water and shade from the administration, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) present on the spot refused. The union then requested to be allowed to sit in a nearby colony park, as sitting on the road was not feasible. Upon the police administration’s refusal, the MGNREGA employees attempted to move the barricades and enter the colony. This was followed by a harsh lathi charge. Water cannons and tear gas shells were used. In this incident, an employee named Sudagar Singh from Fatehgarh Sahib suffered a double fracture in his leg. Over a dozen employees were injured, whom the fellow employees managed to take to the hospital with great difficulty. Later, due to the severity of the fracture, Sudagar Singh was referred to Mohali. A large number of employees are admitted to various hospitals.
Leaders of the Joint Front of Public Organizations condemned the incident in strong terms and warned that batons and bullets are not solutions to any problem; it would have been better to hold talks and resolve the issues. Leaders including Darshan Belumajra, Jaswinder Singh Sauja, Lakhwinder Singh Khanpur, and others stated that the path of lathis and bullets leads to devastation and will ultimately harm the government as well. They urged the government to stop "hollow dramatics," hold serious talks with struggling groups, and resolve people's issues sincerely. The leaders reiterated their firm support for these employees.