Punjab Bus Strike: Protestors Demand Release of Detained Union Leaders, Rejection of 'Backdoor' Privatisation Move
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A statewide bus strike in Punjab entered its second day on Saturday, with protesting employees condemning the police detention of several union leaders. The contract workers, who are opposing the kilometre-based bus scheme, claimed that the government's move is an attempt to bring in private buses and dismantle the state-run transport system. The strike began on Friday over concerns that the new policy would lead to job losses and compromise the livelihoods of thousands of workers in the state transport sector. Protesters alleged that the government has failed to provide new buses to Punjab Roadways in the last four years, with over 500 old buses having gone off the road due to lack of maintenance. The protest turned violent in Sangrur, where some employees splashed petrol on police personnel, leaving one officer with burn injuries. The protesters are demanding the immediate release of detained union leaders and the cancellation of the kilometre-based bus scheme. Farmers' leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has come out in support of the protest, criticising the state government for introducing the scheme. The strike has disrupted bus services across the state, forcing commuters to rely on private operators. Women passengers, who normally avail free travel in state-run buses, were forced to purchase tickets in private buses due to the lack of government services.
