Chandigarh: Chandigarh police on Saturday used tear gas shells and water cannons to disperse protesters who tried to breach barricades during a march towards Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria's residence, seeking the release of Sikh prisoners, including Jagtar Singh Hawara, who is serving a life sentence for the assassination of then Punjab chief minister Beant Singh in 1995.
Some protesters attempted to remove barricades and barbed wire, while others tried to pull them down using a tractor as they attempted to proceed towards the Punjab Governor's residence at the Lok Bhavan. Police also deployed a drone to drop tear gas shells on the protesters.
Tight security arrangements had been put in place at the Chandigarh-Mohali borders to prevent the protesters from reaching the Lok Bhavan. Police erected multi-layer barricades topped with barbed wire and deployed anti-riot vehicles and Rapid Action Force personnel. All border points between Chandigarh and Mohali were sealed.
Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann was detained by Chandigarh police when he, along with two others, was trying to reach the Governor's residence. Mann, who was seen in bandages on his head, reached near a barricade and then sat down before police took him away in a vehicle.
Chandigarh Senior Superintendent of Police Kanwardeep Kaur appealed to the protesters to maintain peace, but they remained adamant on proceeding towards the Governor's residence.
The Qaumi Insaf Morcha, which had called the march, has been seeking the release of 'Bandi Singhs' (Sikh prisoners). The morcha claims that several Sikh prisoners remain incarcerated in different jails despite completing their sentences. It has also demanded the release of Balwant Singh Rajoana and Devinderpal Singh Bhullar.
In a video that surfaced on Friday, Hawara, who is lodged in a Delhi jail, appealed to the Sikh community, particularly the youth, to ensure that the march was conducted peacefully. The morcha's leaders later said they would continue their campaign for the release of Bandi Singhs in a peaceful manner and demanded parole for Hawara to meet his ailing mother.
Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) leader Parminder Singh Dindsa and party president Giani Harpreet Singh also sought the release of Sikh prisoners. Dindsa said the gathering reflected the sentiments of the people, while Harpreet Singh called for equal rights for Sikhs.
The Qaumi Insaf Morcha has given a call for 'Punjab Bandh' on August 21 to press for the release of Sikh prisoners and urged people to support the shutdown.
The morcha has been laying siege along Sector 52-53 in Chandigarh and YPS Chowk in Mohali since January 7, 2023, as part of its campaign. Several Sikh bodies and political outfits, including the Shiromani Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) and Nihang organisations, have extended their support to the morcha.
