Punjab: Lathi-charge, teargas and water cannons used to disperse protesting MGNREGA workers

Khanna, July 15 (PTI) Police resorted to lathi-charge, also using teargas shells and water cannons, to disperse MGNREGA workers who were holding a protest outside the residence of Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond here on Wednesday. According to protesters, more than 10 MGNREGA workers were injured in the police action. They were rushed to Khanna Civil Hospital and various private hospitals where they are undergoing treatment. The MGNREGA workers had gathered at the Prem Bhandari Park here Wednesday morning and later marched towards the minister's residence at Amloh Road. Police had set up barricades ahead of the minister's residence to stop the protesters. When the agitating workers attempted to break the barricades and proceed, police resorted to lathi-charge and fired tear gas shells. They also deployed water cannons to disperse the the crowd. According to protesters, the demonstration was peaceful and sought to press for the release of pending wages, besides fulfillment of other demands related to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The workers alleged that police personnel threatened and thrashed them. Police said the action was taken to prevent protesters from breaking barricades and entering the premises of the minister's residence. Several police officials including Deputy Superintendent of Police (Khanna) Vinod Kumar was also injured in the scuffle between authorities and protestors. The situation is now under control and additional forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order, they said. According to officials, the situation escalated after protesting workers tried to force their way through barricades, prompting police to use force. However, the police action against protesting MGNREGA workers drew sharp reaction from the opposition parties. Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring condemned the use of force against MGNREGA workers. "Bhagwant Mann has turned Punjab into a police state", he remarked, saying instead of listening to the problems and demands of protesting workers, he is using "brute" force against them. He said the MGNREGA workers were holding a peaceful 'dharna' and chanting 'Satnam Wahe Guru' (Sikh religious chant), yet the police resorted to "brutality". The Punjab Congress chief questioned the use of water cannons, teargas shells and lathi-charge against protesting MGNREGA workers. "Is this how a common man's government deals with its people?" Warring demanded suspension of police and administrative officers who resorted to "unprovoked" lathi-charge on MGNREGA workers. Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also condemned the police action. "These contractual employees and labourers were only demanding their rightful pending wages when they were mercilessly beaten with lathis, hit with water cannons, and tear-gassed outside Punjab minister Tarunpreet Sond's residence in Khanna. This is not governance, this is pure dictatorship and 'Danda Tantra'! You cannot silence the voice of the people with brute force," he said in a post on X. Congress leader and leader of opposition in Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa said the protesting MGNREGA workers were demanding wages they had rightfully earned, while the state responded to their legitimate grievances with force. This reflects a complete failure of governance and lack of compassion, he alleged. "The Bhagwant Mann government must immediately clear all pending MGNREGA dues and engage with workers through meaningful dialogue. In a democracy, peaceful protest deserves respect, not repression," Bajwa asserted. PTI COR CHS ARB ARB ARB