Barnala: The Punjab State Safai Karamchari Commission has taken strict notice of the indiscriminate police lathicharge on protesting sanitation workers in Barnala, issuing a stern warning to the state government. Following interventions by the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis and the Punjab State Women’s Commission, Commission Chairman Chandan Grewal announced that sanitation workers across the state will initiate an indefinite strike starting Monday if immediate administrative action is not taken.
Addressing a meeting of sanitation union leaders on Thursday, Grewal expressed deep outrage over the incident, particularly condemning the physical assault on female sanitation workers during the police crackdown. Describing the visuals of the incident as unacceptable, Grewal held the state government equally accountable alongside local law enforcement officials. He demanded strict disciplinary and legal action against the Senior Superintendent of Police and Deputy Superintendent of Police responsible for ordering the lathicharge, while also calling for accountability from the concerned state ministry overseeing the department.
The commission chairman has set an ultimatum for the Punjab government until Sunday to address their demands and initiate action against the responsible personnel. Grewal clarified that the call is specifically a work stoppage by sanitation personnel and not a general state shutdown or market closure. Emphasizing that self-respect remains paramount for the workers, he stated that no memorandum would be submitted and that all sanitation services across Punjab will be suspended indefinitely from Monday unless concrete action is taken by the authorities.
