New Delhi, July 28 — A delegation of Congress MPs on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), seeking its intervention into the alleged police excesses against sanitation workers belonging to the Scheduled Caste community during a protest in Barnala in Punjab.
The memorandum, addressed to NCSC Chairman Kishor Makwana, said the sanitation workers were subjected to excessive police force, including a baton charge, while peacefully protesting for their “legitimate rights and demands”.
Punjab Congress President, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, held Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann responsible for the police brutalities against the sanitation workers as he heads the Home Department under which the police come.
The Congress MPs who included, Warring, Amar Singh, Dharamvir Gandhi and Gurjeet Singh Aujla, said instead of addressing the grievances of the protesting workers, the district administration and police resorted to force, leaving several sanitation workers injured.
They sought an impartial enquiry into the incident and appropriate legal action against those responsible.
Describing the incident as a matter of serious concern, the MPs said it raised questions over the protection of the constitutional rights, dignity and safety of members of the Scheduled Caste community.
The delegation requested the NCSC to examine the matter under its constitutional mandate, seek a report from the Punjab government and the Barnala district administration, ensure an impartial enquiry into the incident and recommend measures to safeguard the rights of the affected workers.
The memorandum also called for fixing accountability in accordance with the law and urged the commission to intervene promptly in the matter.
The Congress delegation expressed hope that the commission would give the matter due consideration and take appropriate action to protect the rights of the Scheduled Caste community.
Later talking to the media, Warring said Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Badal is being held accountable for the police firing in Bargadi against peaceful protestors, same way Bhagwant Mann being the Chief Minister and Home Minister is accountable for the police brutalities against the sanitation workers.
He announced that the Punjab Congress will go to the High Court and seek action against the guilty cops and get justice for the sanitation workers.