NAWANSHAHR: A protest against lockdown and night curfew was staged by various organizations in Nawanshahr today. The protesters called for better management of health services, adequate recruitment of doctors, nurses, medicines, ventilators and oxygen deficiency to fight Corona pandemic instead of lockdowns and curfews in the state.
Earlier, a gathering was held in front of Reliance Super Store which was addressed by Bhupinder Singh Varaich, Jasbir Deep, Kulwinder Singh Varaich, Tarsem Singh Bains, Buta Singh, Gurbakhsh Kaur Sangha, Surjit Kaur Utal, Manjit Kaur Alachaur, Mahinderpal Singh Khalsa, Puneet Kumar Bachhoori, Billa Gujjar, Kamal Banga, Praveen Kumar Nirala, Simranjit Kaur Simmi, Hari Lal, Azad, Gurdial Rakkar, among others.
"The Modi government and the Capt governments are fighting less against coronavirus but more against the people in the name of controlling the pandemic, " they said. The leaders added that while ventilators, beds and medicines, etc are badly required across the country to fight the surge, the police have been asked to deal with Corona pandemic and the police are insulting and treating the citizens with sticks and levying of heavy fines and FIRs.
"Schools are being closed and the new generation is being pushed towards intellectual poverty, " they rued. Police cases are being registered against those organising marriages and other family functions and shopkeepers and their businesses are on the verge of collapse once again in the country. The leaders further said that migrant workers have again started migrating back to their home states for fear of prolonged lockdowns.
" While precious lives are being lost due to lack of oxygen, Corona's fear is proving to be the proverbial golden hen for private hospitals which are charging the patients very heavily . The government has no control over the prices of daily necessities and medicines, " they added.
The gathering further decided to hold a big rally and demonstration in Nawanshahr on May 1 to protest against the policies of the centre and state governments.