Migrant workers stage protest against admn

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 16

Migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar today held a protest against the district administration for not making adequate arrangements for the celebration of the festival Chhath Pooja.

They alleged that the administration was adopting a step-motherly treatment towards them. Migrants, led by Parmod Yadav, held a protest in Basti Bawa Khel where they also blocked traffic. It was only after the city police officials reached the spot and assured the protesters of arrangements that the protest was lifted by the migrants.

The migrants alleged that they had demanded from the Deputy Commissioner to clean the Basti Bawa Khel canal and release adequate water so that they could complete their rituals on the festival, but he did not pay heed.

The protesters alleged that every year,the administration used to clean the canal and also released water for the convenience of the migrant population, but this time no official had paid heed.

During the protest, some protesters lay on the road and did not let the traffic move smoothly.

ACP (West) RPS Sandhu said they had apprised the DC of the issue and he had promised to make required arrangements for the festival.

The police said make-shift ponds would be created near DAV College and Kapurthala Road where water would be filled in water tankers, adding that all arrangements would be completed on time so that migrants did not face any inconvenience while celebrating the festival. The protest reportedly continued for over half an hour.