Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Supporters of jailed Khalistan sympathiser and Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh clashed with Chandigarh Police on Wednesday after they were stopped from entering the city during a protest march organized by Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De).
Police had set up barricades at the Chandigarh border to prevent the protesters from moving towards the city. However, demonstrators allegedly lifted and threw away the barricades, leading to a confrontation with security personnel. In response, Chandigarh Police used water cannons to disperse the crowd.
During the water-cannon action, several supporters reportedly lost their turbans. Protesters also attempted to turn the nozzle of the water cannon towards the police before continuing their march into Chandigarh.
Protesters are now moving towards Sector 2, where they plan to gherao the official residence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Their main demand is the release of MP Amritpal Singh, who is currently lodged in Dibrugarh Jail in Assam.
The protest has also affected traffic movement in the Chandigarh-Mohali area. Authorities said congestion was reported on the road connecting Sector 45 Gaushala in Chandigarh to Mohali Phase 8, causing inconvenience to commuters, including schoolchildren and their parents.
Party leader and MLA Manpreet Ayali said the workers had gathered for a peaceful protest and had no intention of indulging in vandalism. He argued that Amritpal Singh is an elected representative of the people and that his continued imprisonment is preventing him from performing his constitutional duties as a Member of Parliament.
