Water Cannons, Tear Gas Used as Police Stop Bandi Chhod Morcha From Entering Chandigarh
CHANDIGARH: The Chandigarh Police on Saturday used water cannons and fired tear-gas shells to stop hundreds of Sikh protesters participating in the Bandi Chhod Morcha from entering the Union Territory and marching towards the Punjab Governor’s House.
The protest was organised on the call of the Qaumi Insaf Morcha, which has been demanding the release of Bandi Singhs, including Jagtar Singh Hawara, who is currently lodged in Mandoli jail in Delhi.
A large number of protesters assembled at the Punjab-Chandigarh border near YPS Chowk in Mohali before beginning their march towards Chandigarh. As the protesters moved forward, police personnel deployed barricades to prevent them from entering the UT.
The protesters reportedly removed some of the barricades with the help of tractors and attempted to proceed towards Chandigarh. The police subsequently used water cannons and fired tear-gas shells to disperse the protesters and prevent them from moving further.
The protesters maintained that they wanted to hold a peaceful march towards the Governor’s House and would not disturb law and order. They demanded that the Chandigarh administration allow them to proceed peacefully.
The march came a day after Jagtar Singh Hawara released a video message appealing to supporters to maintain peace during the protest. Hawara urged the protesters to conduct the march peacefully and avoid any confrontation.
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Despite the appeal, the situation became tense at the Punjab-Chandigarh border when the police refused to allow the protesters to enter Chandigarh. The protesters insisted that they should be permitted to exercise their democratic right to hold a peaceful demonstration.
The Qaumi Insaf Morcha has been campaigning for the release of Sikh prisoners, commonly referred to as Bandi Singhs, who, according to Sikh organisations, have completed or exceeded their legally prescribed sentences but continue to remain incarcerated.
The police action, particularly the use of water cannons and tear gas, led to a confrontation between the protesting Sikhs and security personnel as the protesters attempted to cross the barricades.
The protesters continued to raise slogans demanding the release of Bandi Singhs and sought permission to proceed towards the Governor’s House to submit their demands.
The administration had deployed a heavy police presence along the border to prevent the protesters from entering Chandigarh. The developments resulted in heightened tension in the area, although the protesters maintained that their objective was to hold a peaceful march and press their demands before the Governor.
The protest is part of the continuing campaign by Sikh organisations seeking the release of prisoners whose cases have remained a contentious issue within the Sikh community.
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