Massive Protest in Chandigarh Demands Release of Amritpal Singh

A significant demonstration unfolded in Chandigarh as thousands of supporters from the Akali Dal Waris Punjab De gathered to demand the release of Amritpal Singh, a Member of Parliament from Khadoor Sahib who is currently incarcerated. The protest commenced at Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali, where participants rallied together before marching towards the residence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The demonstrators faced a substantial police presence as they approached the Mohali-Chandigarh border, where authorities had set up barricades in an attempt to control the crowd. Despite these measures, many protesters managed to breach the barriers, showcasing their determination to reach the chief minister's home. Among the crowd were numerous individuals holding banners and posters advocating for Singh's release and highlighting the plight of the 'Bandhi Singhs', a term referring to Sikh prisoners who have been convicted for their involvement in past militancy during the Punjab insurgency of the 1990s.

The protest was marked by a notable incident where one individual climbed onto a police water cannon vehicle, symbolizing the escalating tensions between the demonstrators and law enforcement. In response to the advancing crowd, police deployed water cannons in an effort to disperse the protesters, who were resolute in their mission to 'gherao' the chief minister's residence. The protest not only reflects the ongoing political tensions in the region but also highlights the broader issues surrounding the treatment of Sikh prisoners. Singh's father, Tarsem Singh, was present at the march, emphasizing the personal stakes involved in this political struggle. The Akali Dal Waris Punjab De has been vocal in its demands for Singh's release, particularly in light of the fact that he is currently held in Dibrugarh jail in Assam, following his involvement in the 2023 Ajnala Police Station incident.