Sikh community leaders and members blocked the Amritsar-Delhi National Highway in Ambala Cantonment on Wednesday, bringing traffic movement on both lanes to a halt and creating significant disruption for commuters.
The protesters gathered to demand action against Gursimran Singh Mand, national president of the International Anti-Khalistani Terrorist Front. They also called for the release of Sikh youths who were arrested in connection with an assault case involving Mand.
The blockade prompted a strong police deployment in the area as authorities attempted to persuade the protesters to clear the highway and allow traffic to resume. The standoff also highlighted growing tensions surrounding the August 7 assault on Mand near a gurdwara.
The protesters had initially assembled at Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib before moving towards the national highway. Police had placed barricades to prevent them from reaching the busy road, but the protesters removed the barricades and used different routes to reach the highway.
Once they reached the Amritsar-Delhi National Highway, the protesters blocked both sides of the road. The move immediately affected traffic on one of the major routes connecting Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.
Police officials deployed additional personnel at the spot and began efforts to negotiate with the protesters. Authorities urged the Sikh leaders to end the blockade, citing the impact on commuters and the need to restore normal traffic movement.
The protest is linked to an incident on August 7, when Gursimran Singh Mand was allegedly assaulted near a gurdwara. Mand, his son and two policemen sustained injuries during the incident, while his vehicle was also damaged.
Following the incident, police registered a case on Mand’s complaint against unidentified persons. The investigation into the assault remains at the centre of the dispute between the two sides.
While the case was registered following Mand’s complaint, Sikh community leaders have raised allegations of their own. They accused Mand of provoking members of the sangat, or Sikh congregation, before the confrontation.
The competing allegations have added another layer to an already sensitive dispute. The protesters are seeking action against Mand while also demanding the release of Sikh youths arrested in connection with the assault case.
The highway blockade came after the protesters gathered at Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib. Their decision to move towards the national highway escalated the situation, forcing police to respond with additional security measures.
Although police had attempted to stop the protesters by installing barricades, the group removed them and took alternative routes. The protesters eventually reached the highway and stopped traffic in both directions.
The development caused major inconvenience to commuters travelling along the Amritsar-Delhi corridor. With both lanes blocked, motorists faced disruption as police worked to persuade the protesters to move away from the highway.
The heavy police presence reflected the administration’s attempt to prevent the situation from escalating further. Officials continued discussions with the protesters while seeking a peaceful resolution to the standoff.
For authorities, restoring traffic movement remains an immediate priority, particularly because the Amritsar-Delhi National Highway carries a large volume of vehicles between northern states and the national capital.
The incident also carries wider significance because it involves allegations, arrests and competing claims from members of the Sikh community following an assault near a religious site.
The protesters’ demand for action against Mand and the release of arrested Sikh youths has put pressure on the administration to address both sides of the dispute. Any further delay in resolving the confrontation could prolong the traffic disruption and increase tensions in the area.
For now, police officials remain deployed at the site and are attempting to convince the protesters to vacate the highway. The restoration of normal traffic will depend on whether authorities and community leaders can reach an understanding and prevent the dispute from escalating further.
The situation remains closely watched as the administration works to balance the protesters’ demands with the need to maintain public order and ensure uninterrupted movement on the busy national highway.