Accusing the multilevel parking contractors of harassing the four wheelers by towing away their vehicles even for parked within prescribed places and only for a few minutes, a number of trade and social organisations of Bathinda observed Bathinda Bandh on Independence Day. Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal lent full support to the bandh.

The members of various organisations including Naujawan Welfare Society President Sonu Maheshwari alleged that the employees of multilevel parking contractor always ready with tow-vans takes no time in towing away vehicles even if these are parked within prescribed places.Under such circumstances, the shopkeepers are feeling the heat for customers not taking the risk of visiting the areas and the customers feel the heat for they have to park their vehicles even if they have to visit faraway places or shop situated away from parking lot.

Maheshwari said the town residents had approached the municipal corporation authorities several times but to no avail and assembled at fire brigade chowk only yards away from parking and held protest on Independence Day. It is only due to the protest that the district administration agreed to cancel the contract and have assured to cancel it in the municipal corporation meeting to be held on August 23.

MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Wednesday had said that it is sheer highhandedness of the multilevel parking contractor which will not be tolerated at any cost. Ms Badal said she is not against parking rules and towing away wrongly parked vehicles but the highhandedness of the contractor will not be tolerated.

Multilevel parking contractor Ram Singh Virk denying the charges had said that untrue allegations are being levelled against him. Only wrongly parked vehicles are towed away for smooth flow of traffic.