A number of protesters were injured after hundreds of Haryana Government employees, led by the Pension Restoration Sangharsh Samiti (PRSS), who had gathered here seeking restoration of the old pension scheme (OPS), were attacked by the Haryana Police with canes, water cannons, and tear gas during a march towards the Panchkula-Chandigarh border.
Around 3 pm, protesters gathered at Sector 8-17 roundabout and clashed with police as they attempted to move towards Chandigarh. After using water cannons to disperse the protesters, the police resorted to cane charges and teargas shells after seeing the situation get out of control.
In the nearly three-hour-long melee, several protesters were injured. Chandigarh-Panchkula border situation became tense after protesters attempted to breach the cordon despite force being used.
It was requested that a representative from the Chief Minister’s Office come and give them assurances about the OPS.
Bhupeshwar Dayal, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s OSD, arrived on the employees’ insistence. During his meeting with employees, he mentioned that talks had taken place earlier as well. As it was a larger issue, he said, the Centre needed to be involved in taking action.
Following the House session on Monday, the OSD assured the protesters that a delegation of employees would be permitted to meet the CM for half an hour.
1.74 lakh employees in various departments have demanded the old pension scheme since 2006. As they were not interested in the Centre’s National Pension Scheme, the employees said they would pursue the OPS.
In the name of restoring old pensions, PRSS state general secretary Rishi Nain said the state government had misled employees. Pensions were being taken by all MLAs and MPs, but employees who had worked for 35 years had to protest.
Various departments participated in the demonstration, including Education, Health, Public Works, Urban Development, and Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran.
In addition, Naveen Jaihind, the senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, lent his support to the protesters. They stood firm with the state employees, said Jaihind, who also suffered injuries in the cane-charge.
