The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government has come under intense criticism after Punjab Police used lathi-charge, tear gas and water cannons against protesting MGNREGA employees in Khanna, who were demanding the release of six to eight months of pending salaries and the regularisation of their services. The police action has triggered outrage across the political spectrum, with opposition parties accusing the Bhagwant Mann government under AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership of responding to peaceful protests with force instead of addressing workers’ grievances.
The protesters, many of whom had reportedly gone without salaries for nearly eight months, had gathered at Prem Bhandari Park before marching towards the residence of Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond to submit a memorandum.
According to eyewitnesses and employee unions, the protest remained peaceful until demonstrators reached police barricades near the minister’s residence on Amloh Road. As protesters attempted to move forward, Punjab Police allegedly resorted to baton charge, tear gas shelling and water cannons to disperse the gathering.
The protesters claimed that around 10 employees sustained injuries, with several requiring hospitalisation at Khanna Civil Hospital and nearby private hospitals.
Among the seriously injured was Sudagar Singh, a resident of Fatehgarh Sahib, who allegedly suffered fractures in both legs and was later referred to a hospital in Mohali for specialised treatment.
Police, however, maintained that force became necessary after demonstrators allegedly attempted to breach barricades and move towards the minister’s residence. Officials also stated that Khanna DSP Vinod Kumar and other police personnel sustained injuries during the confrontation.
The protesting employees were demanding:
Employee organisations alleged that despite repeated representations, the Punjab government failed to address their concerns, forcing them to launch the protest.
The police action has provided fresh ammunition to opposition parties, who accused the Kejriwal-led AAP of abandoning its promises of transparent and people-centric governance.
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring termed the incident an example of Punjab being turned into a “police state.” He alleged that the MGNREGA workers were peacefully staging a dharna while chanting “Satnam Wahe Guru”, yet police responded with what he described as “brutality.”
Questioning the use of force, Warring asked why water cannons, tear gas and batons were used against employees merely demanding their pending wages. He demanded immediate suspension of the police and administrative officers responsible for the action.
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal also launched a sharp attack on the Punjab government.
He alleged that contractual employees seeking their legitimate salaries were met not with dialogue but with “lathis, water cannons and tear gas.” Calling the government’s response “pure dictatorship and Danda Tantra,” Badal said workers asking for their rightful dues should not be treated like criminals.
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa similarly criticised the government, urging it to immediately release the pending MGNREGA salaries and resolve employees’ grievances through negotiations instead of police action.
The Pendu Mazdoor Union, which had extended support to the protest, condemned the police crackdown. State president Tarsem Peter alleged that protesters were peacefully proceeding to submit their memorandum when police blocked and assaulted them.
He further claimed that women protesters were also injured and accused police personnel of manhandling them during the confrontation. The union demanded that the Punjab government provide free medical treatment and compensation to all injured workers.
The day witnessed another tragedy after the protest concluded. A vehicle carrying MGNREGA workers back to their villages overturned following a head-on collision near Bija village. One worker, identified as Sukhdev Singh, lost his life in the accident, while several others sustained injuries and were admitted to nearby hospitals.
