Traffic bottlenecks as teachers descend on Patiala roads

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 10

Commuters had a tough time on Sunday as teachers, under the banner of the Adhyapak Sangharsh Committee, held a protest march in Patiala.

Moreover, the measures taken by the traffic police added to their the woes with a majority of the main roads, especially around the CM’s residence, remaining barricaded.

All roads leading to the CM’s residence were blocked. After a violent protest, the lower mall road was sealed from all sides. In fact, traffic from Fountain Chowk to the lower mall road was diverted.

A city resident, who lives in a colony near the CM’s residence, said, “All roads leading to the lower mall road have been blocked. We are being held captive.”

Another commuter said, “The police have blocked the road leading to my house in Bharpur Garden. Moreover, these police personnel are not even guiding the commuters properly.”

Gurinder Singh, a city resident, said, “Every second day, there is a protest in the city. People of Patiala are being harassed due to these protests. The state government should immediately solve this issue.”  

Tight security

Sensing the trouble, as many as 15,000 police personnel, including the SPs and DSPs, remained on their toes throughout the day. Consequently, upon the teachers’ announcement to gherao the residence of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, the Patiala city was turned into a fortress on Sunday. More than 10  anti-riot vehicles, water cannons and fire brigades were kept on standby.