Shopkeepers block traffic

Surinder Malhotra, who runs a confectionery shop near the bus stand told media persons that he was badly beaten up by 20 employees of the municipal staff when he pleaded with them not to take away biscuits from his shop. He alleged that the employees looted his shop, threw the biscuits and broke his glass containers.

Municipal councillor Manmohan Singh Walia, who is also the president of shopkeepers union of Satnarain Bazaar informed media persons that they would intensify their agitation if the administration did not take stern action against the inspector of the municipal council, who along with others beat up the shopkeeper. Surinder Malhotra showed his injuries and torn clothes to the media persons.

Prominent among those who sat in dharna include municipal councillor Manmohan Singh Walia, local Congress leader Swaran Singh Cheema and president, Kapurthala Beopar Mandal, Bhupinder Singh. The dharna was lifted following the intervention of DSP, city, Parambir Singh Parmar.