Tensions erupted in Chandigarh as supporters of jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh clashed with police during a high-voltage protest demanding his release. The situation escalated after protesters allegedly pushed past police barricades set up to stop their march into the city, following which Chandigarh Police used water cannons to disperse the crowd.
Series of events
The dramatic scenes unfolded as workers of Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) attempted to move towards Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s official residence in Sector 2, Chandigarh. Protesters removed barricades placed by police, leading to a confrontation between both sides. During the action, several protesters’ turbans reportedly fell off, triggering further anger among the demonstrators.
Visuals from the protest
Visuals from the protest showed protesters standing against water cannon jets, with some attempting to turn the direction of the water cannon. After the confrontation, several supporters managed to move forward towards Chandigarh.
Disruptions in the city
The protest has created traffic disruptions in parts of the city, with commuters facing difficulties on routes connecting Chandigarh and Mohali. Authorities had deployed security arrangements in view of the march and possible escalation.
Why Are Amritpal Singh’s Supporters on the Streets?
The protesters are demanding the release of Amritpal Singh, who was elected as the Member of Parliament from Punjab’s Khadoor Sahib constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He won the election while being lodged in Assam’s Dibrugarh Jail, defeating Congress candidate Kulbir Singh Zira by a margin of nearly 1.97 lakh votes.
Amritpal Singh was arrested in April 2023 after the Ajnala police station incident and was booked under multiple cases, including the National Security Act (NSA). He has remained detained in Dibrugarh Jail, Assam.
His supporters claim that his continued detention is preventing an elected representative from carrying out his constitutional duties. They allege that the extension of legal proceedings against him is politically motivated, a claim disputed by authorities and currently subject to legal processes.
Political Battle Intensifies
The protest comes at a politically significant time in Punjab, with the organisation formerly known as Waris Punjab De now taking a political route as Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De). The party has announced plans to contest elections and has projected Amritpal Singh as its potential chief ministerial face.
The confrontation in Chandigarh has once again brought issues surrounding Amritpal Singh’s detention, Sikh prisoner demands and Punjab’s political landscape into the spotlight.
While supporters call the protest a fight for the rights of an elected MP, authorities maintain that legal matters must proceed according to established procedures. The standoff highlights the growing political tensions surrounding Amritpal Singh’s case as Punjab moves closer to the next electoral battle.
