After a five-hour meeting, both sides reach an understanding on key demands, including compensation, government jobs, release of arrested leaders and a trauma centre in Parminder Singh Jhotta’s name.
A major development has emerged in the ongoing struggle for justice for Parminder Singh Jhotta in Mansa, as the Punjab government and the Action Committee have reached a consensus on several key demands following nearly five hours of discussions on the 23rd day of the protest.
The meeting was attended by Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian and senior police officials, along with representatives of the Action Committee.
As part of the understanding reached between the two sides, the government has assured ₹2 crore compensation to Parminder Singh Jhotta’s family and a government job to one family member. Similar assurances regarding compensation and employment have also been given to the family of Daljit Singh Bhamme.
The release of Lakha Sidhana and other leaders currently lodged in jail was another major issue discussed during the meeting. The Action Committee maintained that the post-mortem of Jhotta would be conducted only after the arrested leaders are released. His last rites will take place thereafter.
Hardeep Singh Sidhu, media in-charge of the Action Committee, said that the release of the arrested leaders remained the biggest point of discussion during the meeting. The committee was not prepared to proceed with the post-mortem and cremation without their release.
The government has also agreed to grant approval within a week for setting up a trauma centre at Khiala Kalan in the name of Parminder Singh Jhotta. A time-bound, high-level inquiry into the role of the concerned police and health department officials has also been assured.
Both sides also reached an understanding on installing a memorial or statue in Jhotta’s memory. However, there was no agreement on installing it at the exact location where the incident took place, as government representatives cited possible legal complications due to the site being privately owned.
The Action Committee has also demanded the unconditional release of all arrested leaders and cancellation of the cases registered against them. Its other demands include withdrawal of cases related to the agitation that began on October 13, including those registered in Bhamme Kalan, Budhlada and Akalia, cases involving the tearing of flex boards across Punjab, and alleged false cases against Jhotta’s father and Anti-Drug Task Force workers.
Following the understanding reached during the meeting, the Action Committee has temporarily postponed its proposed November 5 gherao of the Chief Minister’s residence.
The implementation of the government's assurances, particularly the release of the arrested leaders and the timeline for fulfilling the other commitments, will now be crucial in determining the future course of the agitation.
