Linemen defy court orders, stage protest

Patiala, October 22
In a sheer defiance of orders issued by a local court prohibiting any protest within 100-metre radius of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) headquarters, the members of the Punjab Unemployed Linemen Union staged a protest outside the corporation office here yesterday.

The protesters also locked all gates of the headquarters, following which corporation authorities approached the district administration. The gates were opened only after the police intervention.

Notably, it had been almost a week since members of the union were staging the protest outside the PSPCL office. However, PSPCL authorities approached a local court, which banned any kind of demonstrations, strike, meetings etc within 100-metre radius of the corporation.

“The court had restrained all associations from holding any demonstrations and sloganeering and we have handed over the copy of the court order to the Patiala administration.

But it is really strange that still the unions are staging protest and yesterday they locked the gates of the headquarters,” said a PSPCL spokesperson. However, District Magistrate Dipinder Singh has also issued orders imposing Section 144 of the CrPc prohibiting assembly of five or more than five persons.—TNS