Ajit Karn
Officials reported that on Wednesday, when protesters trying to get to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s official residence in neighbouring Chandigarh clashed with them, about 30 police officers were hurt and several vehicles were damaged. The protesters were calling for the release of Sikh prisoners across the nation.
To stop the demonstrators from making their way towards Mr. Mann’s home, police had erected barriers close to the Chandigarh-Mohali boundary. The Chandigarh Police deployed a water cannon to scatter the demonstrators as they attempted to breach the barriers.
The protestors assaulted the police officers under the name of the “Qaumi Insaaf Morcha,” according to the officials, and used swords and sticks to destroy a water cannon vehicle, a “vajra” (riot control vehicle), two police jeeps, a firefighting truck, and a few other vehicles.
They said that the attack injured between 25–30 people, including members of the Rapid Action Force.
According to Chandigarh’s Director General of Police Praveer Ranjan, a FIR would be filed against individuals responsible for the event.
The demands of the demonstrators, which included the release of Sikh inmates who they say are being held in various jails around the nation after having served their sentences, were to be made known at the chief minister’s house.
Since January 7, protesters from different regions of Punjab have been gathering at YPS Chowk, which is close to the boundary between Chandigarh and Mohali.
Later, additional demonstrators arrived with swords and sticks at the demonstration location, including several Nihangs who became aggressive and beat up some of the police officers.
One of the demonstrators who was pursuing the officers was armed with a tear gas pistol that had reportedly been abandoned by a police officer.
According to the police, the demonstrators took down the barriers using a tractor.
Section 144 of the CrPC was implemented in Chandigarh, according to DGP Ranjan, and police did not let protestors to stage any demonstrations there.
He said that a number of protestors grew aggressive and attempted to jump barricades without any provocation from the police.
The official claimed that a number of demonstrators, including Nihangs riding horseback, were armed with deadly objects including swords, iron rods, and clubs.
According to the DGP, when police attempted to stop them, the group assaulted them with swords.
He added that other police officers even fell and received significant injuries, and that they were hospitalised.
“I think 25-30 jawans sustained serious injuries after they were attacked with dangerous weapons,” said the DGP.
Mr Ranjan said stones were hurled at cops. “We used minimum force to control them… We will take legal action in this regard,” he said.
The DGP also said that Punjab Police was informed beforehand that the protesters could indulge in such violent acts. “But unfortunately, it does not seem that they (protesters) were stopped (in Mohali side),” he said.
“This was a leaderless crowd,” he further said, holding the Qaumi Insaaf Morch responsible for the incident.
Replying to a question, the DGP said he was in touch with the Punjab Police, which has assured of action in the matter. “But what happened today, it took all of them by surprise. We tried to stop them at the border. How they reached here with these weapons is a matter to ponder,” he said.
The official said police were scanning video footage and collecting evidence to take legal action against those who indulged in the violent act.
Meanwhile, Qaumi Insaaf Morcha leader Gurcharan Singh said several people were injured after Chandigarh Police used the water cannon and resorted to cane charge against the protesters.
Mr Singh asked the use of force by police against peaceful protesters. He also accused the administration of trying to “fail” the morcha.
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The protesters are seeking justice in the 2015 sacrilege and police-firing incidents in Faridkot.
For the last two days, they have been trying to go to Chandigarh but were detained by police.
Nihangs, members of several Sikh bodies and others are supporting the demands of the morcha.
The protesters have also been seeking the release of Sikh prisoners, including Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh’s assassination.
They also want the release of Devinderpal Singh B
