Ferozepur backs Safai Sewaks’ Bandh, seeks action in Barnala lathi-charge
Ferozepur, July 30, 2026: Ferozepur observed a complete bandh on Thursday in support of sanitation workers demanding strict action against police officials allegedly involved in the lathi-charge on peaceful protesters in Barnala. The bandh will continue till 5 pm, with hospitals, medical shops and other essential services kept out of its ambit, said Deep Dashanand, senior member of Safai Sewak Union.
Markets and commercial establishments remained closed as safai sewaks and their supporters took to the streets. The agitation continues despite the government accepting the workers’ demand for doubling their wages. The workers are now firmly pressing for stringent action against the police officials responsible for the alleged use of force during the Barnala protest.
The Punjab Government has already suspended Barnala DSP Satvir Singh over the incident and initiated an inquiry, but the protesting workers are demanding action against all officials found responsible.
Supporting the bandh, residents and shopkeepers, including Labh Chand, Anil Khanna and Avtar Singh, urged the government to accept the workers’ remaining demands at the earliest. They said the prolonged protest had resulted in garbage piling up at several places in the city, causing inconvenience to residents and posing a serious health concern.
Meanwhile, DSP Ferozepur Sukhwinder Singh said the bandh call was being observed peacefully and there was no untoward incident.
The state-wide protest reflects growing anger among sanitation workers over the Barnala incident, even as the government has already conceded their wage-related demand.