Punjab BJP seeks justice for sanitation workers, submits memo to Governor

Chandigarh, July 27 (IANS) A Punjab BJP delegation led by the party’s National President of the Central Valmiki Sabha India, Gejja Ram Valmiki, on Monday met the Governor of Punjab and submitted a memorandum seeking justice for sanitation workers who were cane-charged by police during a protest in Barnala town. 

In the memorandum, Valmiki, a former Chairman of the Punjab Safai Karamchari Commission, said the peaceful protest by ‘safai karamcharis’, demanding legitimate rights, was met with a brutal and unprovoked assault by DSP Satvir Singh Bains and Station House Officer (SHO) Lakhwinder Singh on July 22.

He alleged that the incident reflected misuse of official authority and demanded strict action against the guilty officers.

The delegation urged the Governor to ensure the dismissal of both DSP Bains and SHO Lakhwinder Singh, asserting that their suspension alone cannot be considered justice.

They also demanded the immediate registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against both officers under the relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and on the basis of the victims’ Medico Legal Reports (MLRs).

The memorandum further sought the Governor's intervention to ensure that the long-pending and legitimate demands of the sanitation workers are addressed without further delay.

The delegation expressed hope that constitutional authorities would act swiftly to ensure justice, accountability, and protection of the rights and dignity of the affected workers.

The police action had triggered widespread protests with several organisations, including BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), condemning the use of force and demanding legal action against the DSP.

Last week, the state government suspended DSP Bains after National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) Vice‑Chairperson Hardeep Singh Gill took suo motu cognisance of the incident and directed the government to submit a factual report within seven days.

In his communication to the Punjab Chief Secretary, Gill noted that media reports had raised serious allegations of police action against sanitation workers protesting in Barnala.

He had emphasised that safeguarding the rights, dignity and security of ‘safai karamcharis’ is a constitutional responsibility of the government and that any alleged violation of their rights must be examined with utmost seriousness.

The commission had directed the Chief Secretary to ensure a fair and transparent enquiry, obtain a detailed report from the Director General of Police (DGP), and submit the findings to the commission within the stipulated time. It also sought an examination of the role of the senior police officers concerned.

--IANS

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