Aniket Rai, Manav, Vivek Sharma| Jalandhar16 minutes ago
The Valmiki community’s anger is at its peak in protest against the alleged lathicharge on sanitation workers in Barnala. Outraged by the incident, various Valmiki organizations have unanimously decided to call for a Punjab bandh today (July 27).
In view of this, several schools in Jalandhar have been closed. Children from MGN School, Seth Hukam Chand School, Innocent Heart School, and Shiv Jyoti School have received messages about school closure. Following this, children are being taught through online classes.
Representatives of the Valmiki community have appealed to the general public, trade organizations, social institutions, and various sections to unite and support this bandh and stand with them in their struggle.
During this period, markets, commercial establishments, and transport may remain closed from 10 AM to 5 PM. However, no association has yet confirmed their support for the bandh.
Let it be known that on July 22, police lathicharged sanitation workers who were protesting in Barnala. Following this, the Punjab government took action and suspended the DSP of Barnala.
Even after this, the anger of the Valmiki community has not subsided. They have now put forward 2 new demands as well.
This message was sent to parents by schools…
2 main demands of the Valmiki community
- Leaders of the Valmiki community say that there has been deep anger and resentment throughout the entire community since the Barnala incident. The community has demanded a fair and transparent investigation of the entire matter before the Punjab government and local administration.
- Apart from this, they demand that strict legal action should be taken immediately against the guilty police officers who used force on unarmed protesters, and justice should be delivered to the affected sanitation workers without any delay.
People of the Valmiki community have called for a shutdown and appealed for support.
Appeal for peaceful and democratic protest
In view of the Punjab Bandh, preparations for protest demonstrations and peaceful rallies are in full swing in various districts of the state. The organizers of the demonstration have appealed to all supporters and the general public to adopt a completely peaceful and democratic approach during the movement.
They clarified that the purpose of the demonstration is to raise their voice, therefore cooperate with the administration in maintaining law and order and ensure that the general public does not face unnecessary inconvenience.
3 PHOTOS of lathicharge in Barnala
Police had lathicharged the sanitation workers.
Police did not spare women either when they protested against the lathicharge.
In Barnala, police had lathicharged women as well.
What happened in Barnala, know…
- Reason for the dispute: Sanitation workers had been on strike since July 8 demanding permanent jobs, salary increases, and restoration of the old pension scheme. When the Barnala Municipal Corporation and district administration started a campaign to remove garbage from the city under police protection on July 22 following directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, a sharp confrontation occurred between the striking sanitation workers and the police.
- Police lathicharge: During this confrontation, the police allegedly used lathicharge and excessive force to disperse the protesters. Videos of this went viral on social media, which showed assault and misbehavior with women sanitation workers as well.
- Government action: After widespread political criticism and intervention by the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) and SC Commission, Punjab’s DGP issued orders to suspend DSP Satvir Singh with immediate effect upon receiving a report from Patiala Range.
- Political opposition erupted: Opposition parties like BJP, Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have cornered the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over this incident.
- Leaders allege that instead of listening to the legitimate demands of peaceful protesters, the government is resorting to lathicharge. In protest against this lathicharge incident, sanitation organizations in several other cities of Punjab are also outraged and are demanding strict legal action (FIR) against the guilty police officers.
