The Waris Punjab De march in Chandigarh turned tense on Wednesday as police used water cannons to disperse protesters who attempted to move towards the Chandigarh-Mohali border. The demonstrators were demanding the release of jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh and other Sikh leaders.
Leaders and workers of Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) began a foot march from Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali with the stated aim of gheraoing the residence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The protest quickly drew a heavy police presence as security personnel deployed barricades along key routes leading towards Chandigarh.
The march comes amid continued demands from supporters of Amritpal Singh for his release from Dibrugarh Jail in Assam. The protesters also sought the release of other Sikh leaders who, according to the party and its supporters, remain in custody.
As the marchers tried to advance, police personnel stopped them at the Chandigarh-Mohali border. When demonstrators attempted to push forward, authorities deployed water cannons to disperse the crowd.
The confrontation created tension at a key entry point between the two cities, while a heavy security presence remained in place to prevent the protesters from moving further into Chandigarh.
Heavy Security at Chandigarh-Mohali Border
Authorities deployed a large police force in anticipation of the protest. Multiple barricades came up along the border area as security personnel attempted to control the movement of demonstrators and prevent the march from reaching its intended destination.
The Chandigarh-Mohali border remained a major security point during the protest. Police maintained a strong presence as protesters gathered and attempted to proceed towards the residence of the Punjab Chief Minister.
The deployment reflected the administration’s preparations to prevent a large protest march from entering Chandigarh and reaching sensitive locations.
However, the restrictions also affected ordinary commuters travelling between Chandigarh and Mohali. With several important roads either diverted or restricted, traffic movement in the area faced disruption.
The situation remained closely watched as protesters continued to raise slogans and press their demand for the release of Amritpal Singh and other Sikh leaders.
Protesters Demand Release of Amritpal Singh
The central demand of the Waris Punjab De march in Chandigarh was the release of Amritpal Singh, the MP from Khadoor Sahib who remains lodged in Dibrugarh Jail.
The protesters also called for the release of other Sikh leaders who are in custody. The demonstration brought together party leaders and workers who travelled on foot from Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali towards Chandigarh.
The choice of the march’s destination added a political dimension to the protest. The demonstrators planned to gherao the residence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, seeking to put pressure on the state government over their demands.
The protest comes at a time when Amritpal Singh’s detention continues to remain a politically sensitive issue in Punjab. His supporters have repeatedly raised concerns over the treatment of Sikh political figures and leaders who face detention or legal proceedings.
For the protesters, the march was intended to draw public and political attention to the issue. For the administration, the challenge was to maintain law and order while managing a large gathering near the Chandigarh border.
Police Use Water Cannons as Marchers Move Forward
Tensions escalated when protesters attempted to move beyond the barricades established by the police.
Security personnel tried to prevent the demonstrators from proceeding further. As the crowd continued its advance, police used water cannons to disperse the protesters.
The use of water cannons marked the most visible escalation during the demonstration. The action came as authorities sought to prevent the march from moving towards Chandigarh and the Chief Minister’s residence.
The deployment of water cannons also highlighted the difficulty faced by police in managing protests that involve large groups of demonstrators attempting to cross security barriers.
Despite the police action, the protesters continued to press their demands. The situation remained tense as security personnel maintained their positions and attempted to keep the crowd under control.
The protest also attracted attention because of the symbolic significance of the Chandigarh-Mohali border. The area often becomes a focal point for political demonstrations and public protests because it connects Punjab’s administrative capital with the neighbouring city of Mohali.
Traffic Restrictions Affect Chandigarh and Mohali
The protest also led to significant traffic restrictions in and around the Chandigarh-Mohali border.
In view of the march, Chandigarh Traffic Police announced diversions and restrictions on several important roads. Commuters were advised to avoid routes affected by the protest and security arrangements.
Traffic movement remained restricted on the stretch from the UT-Mohali border behind Burail Jail towards Sector 50/51 Chowk. Restrictions also affected the route connecting Sector 50/51 Chowk with the Sector 44/45 and 50/51 Chowk area, commonly known as Gaushala Chowk, along Sarovar Path.
The Sector 44/45 light point was also among the areas affected by the traffic arrangements.
The restrictions created additional challenges for people travelling between Chandigarh and Mohali. Commuters using the affected roads had to take alternate routes as police personnel managed traffic and maintained security around the protest site.
For residents and daily commuters, the developments served as a reminder of how large political demonstrations can affect movement across the Chandigarh-Mohali urban region.
March Adds to Political Pressure Over Amritpal Singh
The Waris Punjab De march in Chandigarh has brought renewed attention to the issue of Amritpal Singh’s detention and the wider political debate surrounding Sikh leaders in custody.
Amritpal Singh emerged as a prominent figure in Punjab’s political landscape before his arrest and subsequent detention in Assam. His election as the Khadoor Sahib MP further increased the political significance of his case.
Supporters have continued to demand his release, while authorities have maintained security measures around protests linked to the issue.
The latest march demonstrates that the demand remains active among his supporters. By organising a foot march towards the Chief Minister’s residence, the protesters sought to take their message directly to the Punjab government.
At the same time, the heavy police deployment and use of water cannons show the administration’s approach to preventing protesters from reaching sensitive locations.
The developments also raise broader questions about the handling of political demonstrations in Punjab and the balance between the right to protest and the need to maintain public order.
Chandigarh-Mohali Border Becomes Centre of Protest
The Chandigarh-Mohali border has repeatedly emerged as a key location for demonstrations because of its strategic position and proximity to important government institutions.
On Wednesday, the area once again became the centre of political activity as Waris Punjab De supporters attempted to proceed towards Chandigarh.
Police barricades prevented the protesters from moving further, while security personnel remained deployed in large numbers.
Meanwhile, the traffic restrictions added another layer to the day’s developments. Authorities had to manage both the protest and its impact on the movement of vehicles between Chandigarh and Mohali.
The situation also underlined the growing importance of coordinated traffic and security planning whenever large demonstrations take place along the Chandigarh-Punjab border.
Protest Highlights Continuing Political Tensions
The Waris Punjab De march in Chandigarh comes against the backdrop of continuing political tensions over the detention of Amritpal Singh and other Sikh leaders.
For the protesters, the demonstration represents a demand for the release of those they believe should no longer remain in custody. Their decision to march towards the Chief Minister’s residence reflects an attempt to bring the issue directly before the Punjab government.
However, the administration’s response shows that authorities remain focused on preventing protesters from entering sensitive areas or creating a potential law-and-order situation.
The use of water cannons, therefore, became a significant moment in the protest. It demonstrated the confrontation between the protesters seeking to advance and the police attempting to maintain the security cordon.
As the situation unfolded, the Chandigarh-Mohali border remained heavily guarded, while commuters faced diversions on several major roads.
The latest protest has once again placed Amritpal Singh’s detention at the centre of political discussion in Punjab. It has also highlighted the continuing friction between protest groups and authorities over demonstrations involving sensitive political and religious issues.
With demands for the release of Amritpal Singh and other Sikh leaders continuing, the issue is likely to remain a subject of political debate in Punjab. The Wednesday march, meanwhile, brought the matter directly to the streets of the Chandigarh-Mohali region, where protesters confronted heavy police security and water cannons while attempting to move forward with their demands.