Mohali: Employees and representatives of various organizations staged a protest outside Powercom XEN office in Zirakpur on Monday and condemned the alleged lathicharge on unemployed apprentice workers in Patiala.The protesters burnt effigies of the Punjab government and raised slogans, expressing anger over the use of force against youths who were looking for permanent jobs after completing ITI apprenticeship training.Speakers alleged that the employees were holding a peaceful protest outside the Powercom headquarters when police used force to disperse them, injuring several youths and women. He said that some injured have been admitted to Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala.The protesters described the action as undemocratic, accusing the government of ignoring employment demands and instead resorting to force.They demanded an impartial investigation into the incident, action against those responsible and a transparent recruitment mechanism for trainee employees. Warning of violent agitation, he said that the government should engage in talks instead of taking action against the protesters.