Cops crackdown on union leaders agitating to restore pension scheme

In a crackdown on the activists of “Purani Pension Bahali Sangharsh Committee, Punjab”, the district police conducted raids on houses of leaders of the committee and detained their state leader Jarnail Singh Patti last night.

Activists of the committee were to take part in a protest march in Dera Baba Nanak on Sunday where the Assembly bypoll is scheduled shortly. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was to address a public gathering at Dera Baba Nanak today.

Prabhjot Singh Gohalwar, district leader of the committee, said the police conducted raids at residences of certain leaders and installed nakas at all entry points in the district. Employees, who were on their way to Dera Baba Nanak, were not allowed to go ahead. He said Sant Sewak Singh Sarkaria from Amritsar, state leader of the committee, was detained at his house. Prabhjot said in spite of all restrictions imposed by the police, a large number of employees managed to reach Dera Baba Nanak to express their resentment over the state government not making efforts to restore the old pension scheme.