Patiala: Sacked water dept staff attempt immolation

Two youths working on contract with the department of water supply and sanitation on Monday attempted selfimmolation at the department’s head office over the latter’s order relieving 3,500 contractual workers. The relieving order was issued on April 7 to contractual employees in four districts.

Two youths working on contract with the department of water supply and sanitation on Monday attempted selfimmolation at the department’s head office over the latter’s order relieving 3,500 contractual workers. The relieving order was issued on April 7 to contractual employees in four districts.

Contractual-workers-of-the-water-supply-and-sanitation-department-atop-the-water-tank-at-the-deaprtment-s-head-office-in-Patiala-Bharat-Bhushan-HT-Photo

After the order came into effect on May 1, contractural employees gathered at its head office in the city on Monday to protest, led by Water Supply and Sanitation Contract Workers Union Punjab.

Six members of the union climbed on water tank located inside the head office of water supply and sanitation department. The police along with fire brigade and riot control van reached the spot.

Two youths Sandeep Singh and Hakam Singh, who had climbed atop the water tank, tried to immolate themselves, sustaining burns on their arms.

Sandeep did not take any medical treatment till verbal assurances were given by the water supply department.

In the evening, PS Bhatti, chief engineer of the water supply department along with sub-divisional magistrate Gurpal Singh Chahal and superintendent of police (city) Pritpal Singh Thind assured protesters that the relieving order would be revoked. The police have have registered a case against Sandeep and Hukam under Sections 309 (attempted suicide), 307 (attempt to murder) among others of the IPC.