Unemployed power linemen lathi charged in Punjab

Patiala, Dec 11 (UNI) At least six people were injured when the police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse protestors near the private residence of Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh here today.

The protestors belonging to the Unemployed Lineman Union were demanding jobs in the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB).

All the injured persons have been admitted to the local Rajindra Hospital.

The protesters raising anti government slogans were cane charged near the Polo grounds. Water cannons were also used to disperse them.

The union spokesman said that the police lathi charged them without any provocation, as their protest was peaceful. He said that there were 10,000 vacancies of power linemen in the PSEB but jobs were not being provided by the government.

He claimed that a large number of persons had completed the apprentice course offered by the PSEB and were hoping to get employed.

Meanwhile the police said that the protestors had violated prohibitory orders imposed under section 144.

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