In a dramatic display of public discontent, seven elected councillors from Bathinda took extreme measures on Thursday by physically locking the main entrance to the Municipal Corporation office. The protestors, representing various wards of the city, expressed their mounting frustration with what they describe as systemic corruption and administrative apathy within the civic body.
The councillors accused MC officials of turning a blind eye to critical public issues, including improper waste management, deteriorating road conditions, and irregular water supply. "We have repeatedly raised these concerns through official channels, but our complaints continue to fall on deaf ears," stated one of the protesting representatives.
Local residents gathered in support of the councillors' action, with many expressing solidarity with the unprecedented protest method. "When elected representatives are forced to take such extreme steps, it clearly indicates the severity of the administrative breakdown," commented a shopkeeper operating near the MC office.
Administrative Standoff Escalates
The lockdown created significant disruption to municipal operations throughout the day. Government employees were unable to access their offices, and several scheduled public services faced unexpected delays. The protest highlights the growing tension between elected representatives and bureaucratic administration in Punjab's urban governance system.
Key issues raised by the protesting councillors include:
- Alleged misappropriation of development funds
- Failure to address basic civic amenities
- Irregularities in tender processes
- Lack of transparency in municipal operations
Political Reactions and Public Response
The incident has sparked political debates across party lines, with opposition leaders calling for immediate intervention from state authorities. Meanwhile, the district administration has remained tight-lipped about potential resolutions to the standoff.
This protest marks one of the most visible confrontations between elected representatives and civic officials in recent Punjab history. As the situation remains unresolved, all eyes are on the state government to intervene and address the underlying issues that prompted such drastic action from public representatives.
