Tension grips MC office as Bains' room locked up

LUDHIANA: Tension gripped the municipal corporation zone C office on Monday when the controversial room being used by the SAD councillor Simarjit Singh Bains for listening to the grievances of public was locked. Despite presence of heavy police force in the office, rumours regarding coming of Simarjit Singh Bains in the office continued and MC employees kept their fingers crossed to prevent this.The visitors coming for their works also faced a tough time amidst this political drama.
It was on Sunday night that MC authorities decided to lock up the room as councillors and MC employees had told mayor Hakam Singh Giaspura that Bains group was misusing it. Not only the employees, but even the visitors were surprised to see police personnel in the office. ''It is a public office and the presence of police force could create fear in the minds of public. The authorities should solve their internal matters without disturbing the daily routine,'' a visitor, Harman Singh, who resides in Janta Nagar, said.
Meanwhile, additional commissioner Mahinder Pal Gupta has been given the charge on this office in place of assistant commissioner AS Sekhon, who was arrested on the charges of corruption by vigilance department. The corporation employees also conducted a rally in the A zone office where they welcomed A S Sekhon on his arrival from jail on bail.
Talking about the issue, mayor Hakam Singh Giaspura said, ''The resumption orders of AS Sekhon have been issued in Chandigarh and in a day or so and after we receive these, he will be given back his charge. He said they have also locked the room and all MC employees have been directed not to enter that room.
However, Simarjit Singh Bains said, ''MC commissioner AK Sinha asked me not to visit the MC office on this Monday as problem might arise. But two hours later, I was told that my room would remain locked forever.'' He claimed that he did not want to create any problem therefore he did not go there, but closing the room can't stop him from serving the public.