CHANDIGARH: Chandigarh Police used tear gas shells and water cannons to stop supporters of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha from entering the city from the Mohali-Chandigarh border on Independence Day, August 15.The Morcha had called for a march towards the Punjab Governor’s House, demanding the release of Sikh prisoners and parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara, who was convicted in the assassination case of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh.Supporters began gathering near YPS Chowk in Mohali on Saturday morning and later attempted to move towards Chandigarh. Police had erected barricades at the border and other entry points to prevent protesters from entering the city. According to available information, some supporters tried to push ahead and attempted to breach the barricades despite police warnings. Police subsequently used water cannons and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and stop them from advancing.Heavy vehicles, including trucks and buses, were parked across key routes connecting Chandigarh and Mohali, blocking movement in both directions. Entry and exit through these routes were restricted as part of the security arrangements.Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav, DGP Sagar Preet Hooda, and SSP Kanwardeep Kaur reached the spot to monitor the situation and oversee the security arrangements.The organisers had not announced a fixed route for the proposed march. However, the possibility of supporters attempting to enter Chandigarh had prompted police and security agencies to remain on high alert. Additional personnel were deployed on major roads and at entry points, while the barricading and restrictions affected traffic movement at several locations.Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann was also detained by Chandigarh Police after he reportedly reached near the Governor’s House. He was seen with a bandage wrapped around his head.Security was tightened in the wake of violence during the Waris Punjab De protest at the Chandigarh-Mohali border on July 29, when protesters allegedly breached police barricades and clashed with security personnel. This time, prohibitory orders under Section 163 were imposed in Mohali, while extensive barricading was carried out on routes leading towards Chandigarh.Meanwhile, a video of Hawara, who is lodged in jail, surfaced on Friday night ahead of the proposed protest. In the video, he appealed to supporters to keep the August 15 programme peaceful, remain alert to the presence of miscreants, and asked youth volunteers to help maintain order during the gathering.Police and security agencies remained deployed at key points as authorities continued to monitor the situation and the movement of protesters.
