Punjab Police baton-charged scores of sugar mill workers, who had gathered here on Thursday to stage a demonstration against non-payment of wages for two years during a function presided over by State Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal.

Badal assured them that their demands would be looked into with some seriousness, and said the issue could have been resolved in a peaceful manner.

"It should be their moral responsibility not to create ruckus during a function and it is not good. We had a word with them and assured them that we will do something about it. But they still disturbed the function," said Badal.

The Chief Minister later defended himself saying that he had not ordered the baton-charge against the sugar mill owners.

"I did not order the baton-charge, but the police personnel did that to control the mob. There was no need of using such an extreme action. I requested them to come and talk to me. They should sit with me and talk. Three or four people should have come to me and talk, then only 90 percent things will be solved," he added.

The workers were rendered jobless after the sugar mills closed down almost 30 months ago. (ANI)