Thousands of members of the Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and PRTC Contract Workers Union staged gate rallies in Patiala and 26 other locations across the state on Friday, demanding the release of their colleagues lodged in jail for the past six months and pressing for the fulfilment of their other pending demands.
The protesters led by union state president Resham Singh Gill said the Transport Minister had earlier scheduled a meeting with union leaders for May 15, but it was postponed to May 18. Gill warned that if the talks failed to yield a positive outcome, the union would launch an immediate state-wide strike.
Addressing workers during rallies, union leaders alleged that several employees from Patiala and Sangrur, arrested following the November 28, 2025, agitation continue to remain behind bars under attempt-to-murder charges for allegedly attacking the police personnel. The union claimed that despite an agreement with the government regarding release of the workers, many employees were yet to be freed.
In Patiala, union state spokesperson and senior vice-president Harkesh Vicky said the government’s “breach of promise” would not be tolerated any longer. He accused the government of ignoring demands of transport employees and attempting to privatise public transport services by promoting buses under the kilometre scheme.
Union leaders further alleged that nearly 500 government buses had been scrapped over the last four years, while insufficient efforts had been made to add new buses to the state-owned fleet.
