PEOPLE’S PROTEST’ AGAINST KHOSLA SUSPENSION, EFFIGIES OF CM, FOOD SAFETY COMMISSIONER BURNT

Vikram Ditya Sharma/Ferozepur

 In an unusual show of support for a government official, hundreds of people from different walks of life took to the streets in Zira on Tuesday to protest against the suspension of Food Safety Inspector Abhinav Khosla, whom they described as an “honest” officer who had acted against food adulteration and other alleged malpractices.

The protesters, representing farmers’ unions, traders, teachers, employees, health workers, media and social organisations, took out a protest march and burnt effigies of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration, Kanwalpreet Brar.

Bharti Kisan Union (Qadian) leader Darshan Singh alleged that Khosla had been made a scapegoat for acting against those involved in food adulteration. He termed the suspension unjustified and said the organisations would continue to oppose it.

Gurnam Singh Sidhu, campaign convener of the Ferozepur Lok Lehar group and president of the Satluj Press Club, and advocate Rohit Arora said the protest was aimed at conveying the demand for Khosla’s immediate reinstatement to the government and the department.

The organisations have also announced a protest and road blockade at Chungi No. 7 in Ferozepur Cantonment on Wednesday morning. Farmers’ unions, NGOs, social organisations, teachers, health department unions, media and other groups are expected to participate.

The protest comes days after Khosla was suspended on October 1 by the Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, Punjab, under Rule 8 of the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970. The department has not disclosed the specific reasons for his suspension.