On June 5, 2026, Punjab Police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse protesting Industrial Training Institute (ITI) pass-outs in Patiala, Punjab, who were holding a dharna outside the state power corporation office.
Notably, Members of the 2600 Apprentice Linemen Union had been staging a sit-in outside the power utility’s headquarters, demanding recruitment and implementation of assurances allegedly made by the authorities. The situation escalated when the police attempted to disperse the gathering, prompting allegations of excessive force from union representatives. They were also lathi-charged.
The protesters, under the banner of the Apprenticeship Lineman Union, have been staging a sit-in outside the power utility’s headquarters since June 1, demanding regularisation of services and exemption from a proposed recruitment examination for assistant lineman posts.
Union leaders claimed 20 protesters sustained injuries during the police action and were admitted to nearby hospitals for treatment. Protesters continued their sit-in at the complex’s main gate.
Around 10 protesters were admitted to Government Rajindra Hospital with injuries. One suffered a wound above the eye, while others sustained fractures. According to police, the situation escalated when protesters, who had been sitting outside the main gate, attempted to block the second entry gate as well.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sanjiv Singla said police intervened to clear the passage after repeated appeals to the protesters went unheeded.
According to union leader Akash Kamboj, the protesters have successfully cleared the required technical examinations and have been awaiting recruitment for a considerable period. He claimed that the government had earlier assured them that they would become eligible for employment after qualifying a Punjabi language examination.
The union had earlier withdrawn its agitation after officials, citing directions from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, urged candidates to focus on preparing for the Punjabi language test. The protesters were reportedly assured that the examination schedule would be announced within a week.
However, the union alleged that the process was repeatedly delayed. Officials later cited municipal elections and the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct as reasons for the postponement. Even after the restrictions were lifted, no decision was taken regarding their recruitment, the union claimed.
Today, Bhagwant Mann's government resorted to a lathi charge on the youth in Patiala simply because they were asking for their rights.
But these 'Cockroachiyas' couldn't ask the same questions to the 'AAPiyas'.
Everyone knows why: they are busy forwarding Kejriwal's agenda.… pic.twitter.com/t4DfMCa8Se
— Ankur Singh (@AnkurSingh) June 5, 2026
The union said many of its members had already completed six months of service within the department as apprentices and were now seeking employment opportunities based on their qualifications and training.
Notably, the workers protested last month as well, between May 9 and 27; however, after the government’s assurance, they ended their dharna.
But the protest was resumed when nothing concrete followed, union leaders told reporters here. On Friday, the police resorted to a cane charge and removed them from the protest site.
Opposition parties slammed the Bhagwant Mann led-AAP Government over the alleged police action.
“Strongly condemn the brutal lathi charge on peaceful protesting ITI-trained apprentices of the 2600 Apprenticeship Linemen Union in Patiala today,” Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal said in a post on X.
The SAD chief asked why Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was refusing their demands despite making promises.
“You are not keeping your word, Bhagwant Mann — doing just fake propaganda and selling lies while youth are being served lathis for demanding rightful jobs!” Badal added.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said, “Brutally beating 2600 ITI-qualified apprenticeship youths for demanding jobs exposes the reality behind the Bhagwant Mann government’s tall claims.”
