Protesters attempt to march to Punjab CM’s residence in ChandigarhPolice use water cannons and detain several after clashes at Mohali-Chandigarh borderChandigarh, 29 July (H.S.): Workers of Shiromani Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) staged a protest on Wednesday demanding the release of jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, who is lodged in Dibrugarh Jail, Assam. The protesters attempted to march from Mohali to the Punjab Chief Minister’s residence in Chandigarh but were stopped by the police at the Chandigarh-Mohali border.Heavy police deployment, barricades and water cannons were put in place to prevent the protesters from entering Chandigarh. As the demonstrators tried to move ahead, clashes broke out between the police and protesters. Water cannons were used to disperse the crowd, and several protesters who managed to cross into Chandigarh were taken into custody.The confrontation continued for several hours, with some protesters climbing onto a police water cannon vehicle and forcing it to change direction. In view of the protest march, traffic was diverted at several locations in Chandigarh and Mohali, causing inconvenience to commuters.The protest was part of a statewide call given by Waris Punjab De in support of Amritpal Singh’s release.Party leader and MLA Manpreet Ayali said the march was intended to be peaceful and that the protesters did not wish to indulge in any violence or vandalism. He stated that Amritpal Singh is an elected representative of the people and, by remaining in jail, is unable to perform his constitutional duties as a Member of Parliament.Amritpal Singh’s counsel, Imaan Singh Khara, claimed that the National Security Act (NSA) against his client had already been revoked. He alleged that despite this, Amritpal Singh continues to remain lodged in Dibrugarh Jail in connection with the Ajnala violence case and several other cases, which he described as false.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH