Protesters turn violent at Chandigarh-Mohali border, attack police with weapons, many jawans injured

The Mohali-Chandigarh border in Punjab became a battlefield on Wednesday. Demonstrators of 12 Sikh organizations were demonstrating at the Mohali border under the banner of Qaumi Insaf Morcha since January 7, but suddenly today they entered Chandigarh and started protesting at the Chief Minister's residence. During this, a large number of police personnel reached there, and they used water cannons on the protesters. Enraged by this, the people of Nihang Sikhs and Sikh organizations attacked the police itself. The police has said in its FIR that the people who attacked were associated with Khalistani organizations. According to the information given by the police, 23 policemen were injured in this incident.

Actually, the protesters under the banner of Qaumi Insaf Morcha wanted to go to the Chief Minister's residence with their demands. Police had put up barricades near the Chandigarh-Mohali border to stop the protesters from proceeding towards the Chief Minister's residence. When the protesters tried to move forward by breaking the barricades, the Chandigarh police started firing water cannons to disperse them. The protesters went berserk on seeing the water cannon and damaged a water cannon vehicle, a "Vajra" (riot control vehicle), two police vehicles, a fire engine and some other vehicles with swords and sticks. Police said that there was a fierce clash between the protesters and the police. Stones were also thrown at the police, following which mild force was used to disperse the protesters.

According to the police, around 3.00 pm, around 300 to 400 people were moving from Pakka Morcha towards the residence of CM Punjab, Chandigarh at Matour Barrier. When the Jatha reached the Chandigarh Police barricades on the dividing road in Sector 52/53, they were stopped by the Chandigarh Police and senior officers were talking to the protesters to maintain peace. According to the police, the protesters came on horses and tractor trolleys with swords, sticks and other weapons and attacked unprovoked by forcibly breaking the barricades. In this incident several police officers were attacked and several police vehicles were damaged. Police further informed that the protesters also looted 10-12 barricades of Chandigarh Police from the site. In this incident, 23 police personnel including 7 women police personnel were badly injured. An FIR has been registered in this matter under relevant sections.