Chandigarh Police on Saturday dispersed protesters who tried to break barricades during their march towards the residence of Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. During this, the police released tear gas shells and used water cannon. The protesters are demanding the release of Sikh prisoners and Jagtar Singh Hawara.
Hawara is serving life imprisonment in the 1995 murder case of then Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. Some protesters climbed the barricades and some tried to demolish them using tractors as they tried to move towards Lok Bhawan in Chandigarh.
Also read: Analog dairy products banned in UP, government action on Paneer-Ghee-Khoya
Strict security arrangements
Tight security arrangements were made at the Chandigarh-Mohali border to prevent the protesters from reaching Lok Bhawan. Police set up multi-layered barricades with barbed wire and deployed heavy security personnel, including Rapid Task Force personnel.
What did Chandigarh's SSP say?
Meanwhile, Chandigarh SSP Kanwardeep Kaur said, 'Qaumi Insaaf Morcha had called for a march towards the Punjab Governor House. An appeal was made to them that the gathering should be peaceful. Chandigarh Police will provide full cooperation. Today, when the demonstration started, some people came forward and joined from the front. They came first and stood at the barricade for a long time, but some people came forward and tried to break the barricade.
warned the protesters several times
Giving information, the SSP further said, 'We warned the protesters several times. Some more angry people with sharp weapons came forward, broke the barricade and tried to attack the police. Acting legally, using non-lethal force, water cannon, tear gas shells etc., we dispersed them. Some protesters threw stones at the police. Our soldiers have suffered injuries. He has been admitted to the hospital. We are completing the necessary legal formalities.
Also read: '80 years ago our leaders had taken the right decision', said Omar Abdullah on August 15
Demonstration regarding the release of 'captive lions'
In fact, Qaumi Insaaf Morcha had called for a march to the Governor's residence on Saturday, demanding the release of 'Bandi Singhs' (Sikh prisoners). The Morcha claims that despite completing their sentences, many Sikh prisoners are lodged in different jails. The term Bandi Singh is used for Sikh prisoners who were convicted for their involvement in militant activities during the insurgency in Punjab in the 1990s.
Qaumi Insaf Morcha has been staging a sit-in around Sector 52-53 of Chandigarh and YPS Chowk in Mohali since January 7, 2023, demanding the release of Sikh prisoners.