Clashes Erupt in Chandigarh Over Demands for Release of Sikh Prisoners

Protests Escalate in Chandigarh

On July 29, supporters of the 'Akal Dal Waris Punjab De' clashed with Chandigarh police while demanding the release of Amritpal Singh, the MP from Khadoor Sahib, and other Sikh prisoners. The protesters aimed to encircle the residence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, but police intervened to prevent them from marching towards the location.

A significant number of demonstrators attempted to breach barricades at the Chandigarh-Mohali border, prompting police to deploy water cannons to disperse the crowd. Tensions remained high as protesters tried to force their way towards Mann's residence, leading authorities to station a heavy police presence and riot control vehicles nearby.

According to Senior Superintendent of Police Kanwardeep Kaur, several officers sustained injuries during the altercation, with some suffering serious wounds. She confirmed that a number of protesters were taken into custody. Earlier, the 'Akal Dal Waris Punjab De' had announced plans to surround the Chief Minister's residence to advocate for the release of Amritpal and the imprisoned Sikhs.

Background on the Sikh Prisoners

The Sikh prisoners in question were convicted for their involvement in terrorist activities during the insurgency in Punjab in the 1990s. On Wednesday, a large group of party workers marched from Gurudwara Amb Sahib in Mohali towards Chandigarh, carrying posters of Amritpal and the prisoners. They were accompanied by Nihangs wielding swords and other traditional weapons.

Police reported that Amritpal's father, Tarsem Singh, and key party leader Manpreet Singh Ayali were also part of the protest. In anticipation of the march, Chandigarh police deployed a substantial number of officers and set up barricades at the Mohali-Chandigarh border to prevent protesters from advancing towards the Union Territory.

Protesters Defy Police Warnings

One protester climbed onto a water cannon vehicle and redirected it away from the crowd. Soon, additional protesters joined him on the vehicle. Subsequently, they broke through the barricades and began advancing towards the Chief Minister's residence in Chandigarh.

SSP Kaur stated, 'The protesters were stopped at Goshala Chowk and warned that Section 163 of the Indian Citizen Safety Code (BNSC) was in effect, prohibiting their advance. However, they became violent and breached the barricades, with some carrying swords and other dangerous weapons.' She emphasized that the police maintained restraint throughout the incident.

Kaur added, 'When the protesters broke the barricades, we attempted to stop them at various points and urged their leaders to control their supporters.' Despite requests from the organization's leaders to halt their advance, some supporters persisted, causing traffic congestion in the city. Chandigarh's Inspector General of Police Pushpendra Kumar and several officers tried to negotiate with the protesters but were unsuccessful in preventing their advance. The protesters only retreated after submitting a memorandum to the Chief Minister's Officer on Special Duty (OSD).

Continued Tensions and Arrests

Some protesters remained adamant about moving forward and were subsequently detained. The Waris Punjab De group is advocating for the release of Amritpal Singh and the Sikh prisoners. Amritpal is currently incarcerated in Dibrugarh Jail, Assam, in connection with an attack on the Ajnala police station that occurred in 2023.

Notably, his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) had expired on April 22.