Barnala: Sanitation workers across Punjab have postponed their proposed strike scheduled for July 27 and instead announced a statewide Punjab bandh on Thursday, July 30, escalating their protest against the alleged police action on sanitation workers in Barnala and the government’s alleged failure to address their demands.
The announcement was made by Gulshan Kumar, District President of the Barnala Safai Sewak Union, while addressing the media on Sunday.
According to Kumar, the decision to defer the strike was taken after consultations with union members. He warned that if the Punjab government does not respond positively to the workers’ demands before July 30, sanitation workers will enforce a complete shutdown across the state.
“The entire Punjab will remain shut on July 30 if the government fails to respond to our demands,” Kumar said.
The protest stems from the alleged lathi charge on sanitation workers in Barnala, an incident that has triggered criticism from several political parties. Leaders from different political organisations have visited the injured workers and expressed solidarity with the ongoing agitation, assuring them of support.
Calling for broader participation in the protest, Gulshan Kumar appealed to trade unions, revolutionary organisations, social groups and business associations across Punjab to join the July 30 bandh in support of what he described as the sanitation workers’ “just struggle.”
The protesting workers are demanding action over the alleged police excesses in Barnala and the resolution of their long-pending demands.
Further details regarding the scale and impact of the proposed statewide bandh are expected in the coming days.
