Patiala/Hoshiarpur/Ludhiana/Sangrur / The strike of contract employees of Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and PRTC continued for the second day on Saturday. Due to non-running of buses, common passengers faced a lot of trouble. Women in particular suffered losses due to lack of free travel and had to travel by purchasing tickets in private buses. The employees are angry because the government is opening tender under the kilometer scheme. They allege that this is a ‘back door’ ploy to eliminate government buses and benefit private operators. Private buses will run on government routes and the jobs of thousands of employees will be in danger.
‘Our 4 big leaders are still in police custody’
Sandeep Singh, Senior Vice President of PUNBUS Contract Workers Union in Hoshiarpur, said, ‘Our four big leaders are still in police custody, State Committee Member Kulwant Singh, District President Raminder Singh, Secretary Narinder Singh and Cashier Dharminder Singh. Our protest and strike will continue until they are released, the tenders of the kilometer scheme are not canceled and the contract employees are not confirmed. Sandeep Singh launched a scathing attack on the government and said, ‘Not a single new bus has been given to Punjab Roadways in the last 4 years. More than 500 old buses are off the road. Even the buses that are running need major repairs. There is no money even to buy tyres. There is no fund for maintenance.
SHO of Dhuri police station caught fire in his uniform, got burnt
Even before the strike started on Friday, the police had detained many union leaders. After this, there were clashes between employees and police at many places. The matter became very serious in Sangrur. There some employees climbed on top of the bus and sprinkled petrol on the policemen. The uniform of the SHO of Dhuri police station caught fire and he got burnt. The video of this incident is becoming increasingly viral on social media. Protestors in Ludhiana strongly condemned the police action. A protestor said, ‘The government should accept our demand and immediately release the detained comrades.’
Women traveling free are most troubled
Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader Sarwan Singh Pandher also openly supported the employees. He accused the state government of bringing this scheme in the interest of private contractors. On the other hand, passengers are in bad condition due to government buses disappearing from the roads. Private bus drivers are charging arbitrary fare. Women traveling free are the most troubled. The employees are saying that the strike will not end until their demands are met. No talks have started yet between the government and the unions. Now it remains to be seen how long this movement will continue and how long the common people will have to suffer.