Protesters seeking the release of Sikh prisoners clashed with police on Wednesday after a water cannon was used to prevent them from heading towards Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's residence in Chandigarh.
Police had put up barricades near the Chandigarh-Mohali border to prevent the protesters from moving towards the chief minister's residence. When the protesters tried to force their way through the barricades, the Chandigarh Police resorted to using a water cannon to disperse them. The protesters damaged a water cannon vehicle, a ''vajra'' (riot control vehicle), two police jeeps, a fire-fighting vehicle and some other vehicles with swords and sticks. There were heated arguments and a scuffle between the protesters and police. Stones were hurled too, police said.
The protesters under the banner of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha wanted to go to the chief minister's residence to press for their demands, including the release of Sikh prisoners who they claim are lodged in different prisons despite having completed their sentences. People from various parts of Punjab have been staging a protest at the YPS Chowk near the Chandigarh-Mohali border since January 7.
Later, more protesters carrying swords and sticks gathered at the site of protest including some Nihangs who turned violent and thrashed some of the police personnel. The policemen were chased by the protesters, one of whom was carrying a tear gas gun, apparently left behind by police personnel. The protesters are also seeking justice in the 2015 sacrilege and police-firing incidents in Faridkot.
For the last two days, the protesters 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 Bhullar, a 1993 Delhi bomb blast convict.
In a statement, Chandigarh Police said while the protestors were being told that protests are prohibited in Chandigarh due to prohibitory orders of DM Chandigarh under section 144 of CrPC, the protestors suddenly moved towards the Chandigarh barrier forcefully and started pelting stones on Chandigarh police deployed at the barriers. "Mild force was used to disperse the protesters," the statement said.
The police said thereafter, at about 3.00 PM around 300 to 400 members of Jattha led by Gurcharan Singh moved towards Chandigarh. When the Jatha reached the Chandigarh police barricades at dividing road, Sector 52/53, senior Officers of Chandigarh Police negotiated with the protestors to maintain peace but the Jathha was armed with swords, lathis and other weapons on horses and tractor trolleys and launched an unprovoked attack by breaking the barricades forcibly, attacking various police officials and damaged several police vehicles.
The statement said the protestors removed 10-12 barricades of Chandigarh Police from the site and many police officials have been injured badly in this unprovoked incident. It said 22 police officials and 7 lady police officials were admitted in Sector-16 Hospital for grievous to mild injuries and getting medical treatment. An FIR is being registered in this regard under relevant sections of law at Police station Sector 36.