With Punjab being hit by a spate of protests over numerous issues, several industry bodies on Sunday pitched for peace and tranquillity saying that the state's image was being affected due to agitations and may keep new investors at bay.
“Efforts need to be made to ensure peace and tranquillity in the state at all cost as everyday protests are set to hurt Punjab's image and will keep new investors at bay,” said the Federation of Indian Export Organisation president SC Ralhan.
“The state government should put in its best efforts to maintain law and order in the state,” said Ralhan, who is a ludhiana-based hand-tool maker.
The industry pointed out that their buyers were reluctant to visit Punjab for new deals in the wake of protests being held in the state. “My two-three dealers were supposed to visit my factory yesterday. But they postponed their visit in view of ongoing agitation and protest at several places in Punjab,” said United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers’ Association president Charanjit Singh Vishavkarma.
He said that many workers and labourers, who had gone back to their native places, were reluctant to join back work. “The industry is facing losses because of protests and agitations and they must end," Singh said adding that the state government must make efforts to normalize the situation which is turbulent at this moment.
The associations demanded that those who were behind the heinous act of sacrilege be apprehended and punished.
Notably, Punjab is set to organize second Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit on October 28 and 29 as part of its efforts to bring new investments into the State. Punjab had faced protest and agitations on different issues including Dera Sacha Sauda followers protesting non-screening of movie MSG-2 featuring the controversial sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in theaters across the state, protest by Sikh activists over the pardoning of Sirsa-based Dera head, a week-long Rail Roko agitation by farmers.