Punjab Police used a lathi-charge to disperse protesters gathered outside the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited headquarters in Patiala on Thursday.

The incident highlights escalating tensions between the state government and unemployed technical workers seeking guaranteed employment within the power sector. The clash occurred as the group pushed for specific recruitment demands related to their qualifications.

The protesters are members of the 2,600 Apprenticeship Lineman Union [1]. These individuals are ITI-qualified apprentices who have been campaigning for employment opportunities and recruitment reforms within the state's power infrastructure.

Police used batons to break up the crowd after the protest intensified outside the PSPCL headquarters [1], reports said. The union represents a significant block of unemployed candidates who argue that their technical training should lead to permanent positions within the utility company.

Local authorities moved to clear the area to maintain order around the corporate offices. The specific number of injuries resulting from the lathi-charge was not provided in the available reports [1].

The Apprenticeship Lineman Union continues to demand that the government address the employment status of the 2,600 [1] qualified candidates. The tension underscores a broader struggle for job security among vocational trainees in the region.

“Punjab Police used a lathi-charge to disperse protesters gathered outside the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited headquarters”

This confrontation reflects the systemic friction in Punjab's labor market, where a surplus of ITI-qualified technical workers exceeds the available permanent vacancies in state-run utilities. The use of force by police suggests a lack of diplomatic resolution between the PSPCL administration and the union, potentially leading to further unrest among unemployed youth in the state.