Mohali: Protesters hurt as police use water cannons to stop march

The protesters, temporarily employed with the Punjab government, were marching towards the Punjab assembly on the budget day to press for their demands regarding regularisation of temporary employees, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and payment of pending arrears

Several protesters of the Government Teachers Union (GTU), Mid-Day Meal Worker Union, and the Punjab Government Pensioners Association sustained injuries after they were stopped by Mohali police from marching towards the Punjab assembly on Sunday. The police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Members of the Government Teachers Union, Mid-Day Meal Worker Union and the Punjab Government Pensioners’ Association being stopped from marching towards the Punjab assembly on the UT-Mohali border on Sunday. (HT Photo)

The protesters, temporarily employed with the Punjab government, were marching towards the Punjab assembly on the budget day to press for their demands regarding regularisation of temporary employees, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and payment of pending arrears. They said the government had not fulfilled its promises even after four years in power.

As the protesters attempted to move toward the vidhan sabha, police stopped them at a barricaded point on Mohali-Chandigarh border near Model Jail road. Veer Singh from Anandpur Sahib, who was present at the protest, said people were affected by tear gas shells and some participants were hurt during the police action. The protesters described the police action as harsh and said they were holding a peaceful demonstration to highlight their demands before the assembly.