Scuffle at MC office as BRTS cause turns into high drama

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 8

High drama prevailed at the Municipal Corporation office when a local activist, who opposed former Congress leader Mandeep Singh Manna’s move to submit a memorandum to the Municipal Commissioner regarding BRTS project, had a scuffle with bus drivers here today. The activist, identified as Amritpal Singh Bablu, used to work with Manna but has now parted ways. Bablu had been putting out posts against Manna on social media for the last few days and visited the Municipal Corporation office today to protest against him.

Manna had a scheduled programme of submitting a memorandum to the MC Commissioner regarding suspension of BRTS bus service. After a meeting with MC Commissioner, as soon as members of BRTS Employees Union and Mandeep Singh Manna came out to address the media, Amritpal Singh Bablu started speaking against Mandeep Singh Manna. Bablu questioned Manna for not raising his voice in support of BRTS workers during the past one year, while the bus service has been closed since July 2023. After this, members of the BRTS Employees Union manhandled him. The MC police intervened in the matter and pacified the BRTS employees.

It may be mentioned that Manna had visited the BRTS bus terminal at Verka bypass and raised the issue on his social media platforms.

President, BRTS Employee Union, Sarbjit Singh said that the Metro bus service was suspended in July 2023. “No political party or leader raised their voice. We are now unemployed and facing tough times. At least Manna came forward and supported us.”

Municipal Commissioner Harpreet Singh assured the BRTS employee that he was writing to the state government regarding their demands and efforts were being made to resume the bus service.