India, Aug. 28 -- Public services across Punjab were disrupted on Thursday as more than three lakh government employees and over 3.5 lakh pensioners joined a statewide strike to press the Bhagwant Mann government for the release of pending dearness allowance (DA), implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), regularisation of contractual employees and fulfilment of other long-pending demands.

More than 150 employee organisations under the banner of the Punjab Sanjha Mulazam Manch participated in the 'maha hartal'. Government offices across the state either remained closed or witnessed thin attendance as employees stayed away from work after taking mass casual leave. Protesters staged demonstrations at district headquarters and other l...