Bizmen roughed up by sanitation workers in Hisar

HISAR: Some businessmen who launched a cleanliness drive near Shushila Bhawan area here on Tuesday were allegedly roughed up by ‘safai karamcharis’ (sanitation workers).

Businessmen Praveen Gupta and Avninder Bansal told mediapersons that they started cleaning the area near their shops with the help of some other people at about 7am as the sanitation staff has been on a strike for long.

They alleged that some sanitation workers reached the spot, snatched their brooms and also roughed them up.

“We called up municipal corporation commissioner Ashok Bansal, but he did not attend the call. Later, we reported the matter to the police as the sanitation workers were trying to misbehave with everyone present there,” said Gupta.

Bansal said, “Why are the local officials becoming mute spectators? They must ensure strict action against such goons.”

Hisar deputy commissioner (DC) Ashok Kumar Meena said, “The police have been informed and they are investigating into the matter. The administration will soon launch a cleanliness drive in Hisar. No one will be allowed to breach law and order situation during the drive in the city.”

“The administration will set up a control room in the office of the Hisar municipal corporation soon where the MC officials will attend calls of the local residents relating to sanitation problems,” he added.

‘TALKS ON WITH STAFF BUT GOVT CAN RESORT TO OTHER OPTIONS’

KARNAL: Haryana BJP president Subhash Barala on Tuesday said the state government is holding talks with sanitation workers to end their ongoing strike, but if the issue is not resolved soon, the government can resort to “other options” as well.

Barala, who was interacting with mediapersons during his visit to Karnal, said, “In democracy everybody has a right to protest. They should be given opportunity to raise their voice. We are trying to resolve the issue through talks with the sanitation workers, but the government may take resort to other options if the issue is not resolved soon.”

He, however, did not elaborate what are the other options under consideration of the government.

Barala was asked what steps are being taken by the government to keep the cities clean in the wake of the ongoing strike of sanitation workers. He also accused the leaders of opposition parties of provoking the striking sanitation workers.