Protestors attack commuters

Members of the Punjab Nirman Mazdoor Union staged a dharna at Rishi Nagar,near the Y-block road,on Friday to protest against a demolition drive in Chand Colony.

Accusing the Municipal Corporation of adopting a “pick and choose policy”,the protestors claimed that only one Ramkinker Chauhan’s house was demolished three days ago.

The union members blocked the road for more than an hour and got into altercations with a few commuters who requested them to lift the dharna.

Armed with iron rods and lathis,the protestors allegedly injured one Vicky,who asked them to give way. He received 10 stitches in the head and his motorcycle was also badly damaged.

Another commuter Kala,who tried to intervene,was also attacked and received injuries in the eye.

The police was then called in to lift the dharna. DSP Raj Kumar arrived at the spot and some protesters allegedly misbehaved with the police as well.

Hari Singh Sahni,president of the mazdoor union,however,alleged that police lathicharged their members and around 25 people were injured while a few got serious injuries.

He said: “Kalavati,Seetadevi,Zile Chauhan,Bandhu Chauhan and Vijay Chauhan have been injured.” There is,however,no information of any of the protesters being admitted to hospital.

The police had earlier decided to file an FIR against the protestors,but a compromise was arrived at and no case was registered. The union members have sought that all encroachments in the area be removed and no one should be spared.

Sahni added: “If the other encroachments are not demolished too,we will stage another protest along with 24 mazdoor unions in the city.”