With unending protests, Sangrur becomes ‘Jantar Mantar’ of Punjab
Sangrur has become ‘Jantar Mantar’ of Punjab with unemployed unions of BEd and ETT teachers, and farmers holding protests, among various other oganisations, at the district headquarters..
The scene outside the district administration complex where protesters have installed tents reminds one of Delhi’s Jantar Mantar area, which has been the hub of various protests and demonstrations for years.
Leaders of opposition parties, including Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Punjab Ekta Party (PEP) have also been visiting the town to extend their support to protesters.
The town has been witnessing four protests in a week on an average.
Apart from unemployed teachers and farmers, Sikh outfits, Freedom Fighters Descendants’ Association, Dalit bodies, anganwadi workers and government employees held protests in the town this month.
The civil and police officials are often on their toes to control the law and order situation.
On Saturday, the ongoing protest by Unemployed BEd Teachers’ Union seeking jobs entered the 21st day. The chain hunger strike of five of its members continued for the 11th day.
Besides, the protest by ETTTET Unemployed Teachers’ Union entered the 24th day, with five of its members perched atop a water tank.
The police and civil administration had forcibly shifted three protesters, who were on indefinite hunger strike, to the civil hospital.
On September 22, the police lathi-charged and used water cannons to disperse 200-odd protesting members of ETTTET Unemployed Teachers Union outside the residence of state education minister Vijay Inder Singla.
Leader of opposition Harpal Singh Cheema, Punjab Ekta Party founder member Sukhpal Singh Khaira and SAD leader Jagmeet Brar, among others, called on these protesters separately and expressed their support.
“The government has failed to provide us jobs. We will visit villages across the state to expose the government ahead of bypolls in Punjab,” said Randeep Sangatpura, state press secretary of BEd Teachers’ Union.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ghanshyam Thori said a meeting of all teachers’ unions has been fixed with the state officials on September 30.
Meanwhile, the Kirti Kisan Union concluded their threeday protest on Friday.
The farmers demanded a total debt waiver, long-term period loans on small instalments and safely of Punjab’s river waters.
SSP Sandeep Garg said the law and order situation in the town is under control.
“But sometimes we have to deploy heavy police force to keep protesters in check.”