Chemists in Bathinda protest for 2nd day over raids, demand case withdrawal

In response to recent police and health department raids on medical stores and the arrest of a youth in Rama Mandi on Thursday for possessing expired medicine strips, the District Chemists Association has kept all medical stores closed for the second consecutive day.

Protesters gathered at Hanuman Chowk in Bathinda, raising slogans against the police administration. The demonstration led to the diversion of traffic on Mall Road, causing heavy congestion on Teacher Home Road and Kapda Market Road, which disrupted the city’s traffic flow.

MLA Jagroop Singh Gill visited the protest site in the afternoon and assured the chemists that he had spoken with the district and police administration, and that the case against the arrested youth would be withdrawn by Monday.

He appealed to the protesters to end their demonstration, which they did following his assurance. However, they warned that the agitation would resume if decisive action is not taken and the case is not withdrawn by Monday.

The protest began on Friday with a sit-in near Mall Road Chowk, blocking traffic, before moving to Hanuman Chowk on Saturday, where it continued until 1:30 PM. The chemists’ strike caused all medical stores across the district to remain closed until the afternoon, creating significant inconvenience for patients.

The District Bathinda Chemists Association (TBCA) office bearers stated that discussions with the district and police administration were ongoing. They expressed strong opposition to the case filed against a staff member of a medical store in Rama Mandi.

The staff member, who had been employed without issue for years, was accused of possessing expired medicines while simply returning them to a wholesale shop. The association claimed the police acted without proper investigation and without the presence of a drug inspector from the health department.

The association has called for a thorough investigation and the withdrawal of the case. They vowed to continue their protest until the case is dismissed. Following MLA Gill’s intervention and his assurance that the case would be withdrawn by Monday, the protestors decided to suspend their demonstration until then.

District President Ashok Balianwali expressed concerns about recent police inspections of chemists in various markets of Bathinda, often accompanied by drug inspectors, which have left many chemists feeling humiliated.

He reiterated that all chemists under the TBCA are cooperating with the Punjab Government’s anti-drug campaign and do not support any unlawful activities. He urged the police to cease such actions and allow a fair investigation process.