NEW DELHI: A protest by MGNREGA employees and workers from across Punjab turned violent in Khanna after demonstrators alleged that the police resorted to a lathi charge and fired tear gas shells to stop them from marching towards the residence of Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond.
The protesters, representing all 23 districts and nearly 250 blocks, had gathered at Prem Bhandari Park to press for their long-pending demands, including regularisation of services, release of pending wages, and implementation of employee welfare measures.
After the rally, the protesters began marching towards the minister’s residence on Amloh Road, where heavy police deployment and barricades had already been put in place. Tensions escalated when demonstrators attempted to cross the barricades, leading to a confrontation with the police.
As the protesters continued to move forward, the police fired tear gas shells and carried out a lathi charge to disperse the crowd. According to the protesters, several workers, including women, were injured and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Union leaders alleged that they were peacefully proceeding to submit a memorandum when the police used force against them.
More than 50 workers were reportedly arrested while trying to meet the minister, and several detained protesters were taken away in police vehicles.
The protesting workers, including contractual employees and daily-wage staff under the MGNREGA scheme, have been demanding the release of wages pending for the last five to eight months. They are also seeking the regularisation of contractual employees by merging them into the Rural Development and Panchayats Department.
The police action has sparked widespread outrage, with opposition parties accusing the Punjab government of using brute force against labourers who were demanding payment of their rightfully earned wages.
Critics have also questioned the lack of wider public attention to the incident, asking why the alleged lathi charge on workers and the delay in payment of wages have not received adequate discussion. They further recalled an earlier statement by AAP leader Manish Sisodia, who had said that if a paper leak occurred in Punjab, the government would take responsibility and resign first.
