Badal assures jobs for agitated 'coolies' of Wagah

Amritsar, Oct 1 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has assured that not a single 'coolie' (porter) would be rendered jobless following the decision of India and Pakistan to allow trucks to carry goods across the border at the Wagah checkpost.

In a statement here today, Mr Badal said that he had already given an assurance to this effect to the porters. He said that far from rendering them jobless, the number of 'coolies' at the checkpost was expected to go up as truck movement on both sides of the border at the checkpost would boost trade activity between the two nations.

The Chief Minister gave this assurance following the demonstration by 'coolies' at the checkpost after Mr Badal had flagged off a truck ladened with tomatoes to Pakistan. The protest later became violent and the police had to resort to a lathi charge to contain the protesting porters.

UNI