2 weeks ago
Teargas fired as Sikh protesters clash with Ambala police
On Thursday, many Sikh community members gathered at a gurdwara called Panjokhra Sahib in Ambala.
They were angry because a man named Gursimran Singh Mand had not been arrested, even though a biker named Surinder Singh said Mand's car had hurt him badly.
The community walked toward town to ask the police to arrest Mand and to release two people from their community who had been put in jail.
The police used teargas, which makes your eyes sting and makes it hard to breathe, to try to stop the marchers.
When the marchers blocked a big highway, the police also used batons to move them away.
A leader of a Sikh committee named Jathedar Jagdish Singh Jhinda got hurt during the clash.
After the protests, the police did register a case against Mand and his son as the community had asked.
Some Sikh leaders said the police used force too suddenly, while the police said they acted only after officers were attacked.
On Friday, the city was quiet again, but some people in the Sikh community were still upset.
Police fired teargas shells and used a lathi charge to disperse hundreds of Sikh community members marching from Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib near Ambala on Thursday.
Protesters demanded an FIR against Gursimran Singh Mand, president of the International Anti-Khalistan Front, on attempt-to-murder charges and the release of two arrested community members.
The marchers blocked the Ambala-Delhi national highway for nearly six hours, and HSGMC president Jathedar Jagdish Singh Jhinda sustained injuries in the confrontation.
Following the protests, police registered an FIR against Mand and his son Bhavjot Singh on charges including attempt to murder, rash driving and criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj of Sri Akal Takht Sahib condemned the 'sudden use of force' during talks, while police said the lathi charge followed an attack on officers; an uneasy calm prevailed on Friday.
- Who
- Sikh community members and leaders such as HSGMC president Jathedar Jagdish Singh Jhinda and Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj of Sri Akal Takht Sahib; Haryana Police; and Gursimran Singh Mand, president of the International Anti-Khalistan Front (referred to as the International Anti-Khalistani Terrorist Front in one report)
- What
- Police fired teargas and used a lathi charge to disperse Sikh protesters who marched to Ambala and blocked the national highway demanding an FIR against Mand and the release of two arrested community members; an FIR was later registered against Mand and his son
- Where
- Ambala, Haryana, near Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib on the Ambala-Dehradun National Highway (NH-344) and on the Ambala-Delhi (Delhi-Amritsar) national highway
- When
- Thursday, with an uneasy calm prevailing on Friday; the clash followed an altercation at the gurdwara on August 7
- Why
- Protesters said police had delayed an FIR against Mand despite biker Surinder Singh allegedly suffering fractures from being hit by Mand's vehicle, while Sikh youths were arrested on Mand's complaint
Protesters and Sikh community
Police and Haryana government
Use of force during the protest
Protesters and Sikh community
Community members condemned the teargas and lathi charge, saying force came suddenly while talks with government representatives were under way; Jathedar Gargajj questioned whether 'mischievous elements' had infiltrated the peaceful protest.
Police and Haryana government
Police said the lathi charge followed an attack on policemen and that teargas and barricades were used against protesters who had blocked the highway for nearly six hours.
Delay in registering the FIR against Mand
Protesters and Sikh community
Community members alleged police delayed an FIR against Mand despite Surinder Singh suffering fractures, while registering attempt-to-murder cases against Sikh youths on Mand's complaint, fuelling resentment.
Police and Haryana government
Police said the FIR was initially registered on Mand's complaint because Surinder Singh was not medically fit to give a statement at the time; a case against Mand and his son was registered after his statement.
Reading of the August 7 incident
Protesters and Sikh community
The community says Mand's vehicle crushed and seriously injured Surinder Singh at the gurdwara, and Jathedar Gargajj said timely legal action against those accused could have avoided the situation.
Police and Haryana government
Police described the circumstances as 'suspicious', citing viral videos purportedly showing Mand being assaulted and noting he drove away in what was claimed to be self-defence while being chased.
Key facts
- Location
- Ambala, Haryana, near Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib
- Key demands
- FIR against Gursimran Singh Mand on attempt-to-murder charges and release of two arrested community members
- Police action
- Teargas shells, barricades and a lathi charge
- Highway blockade
- Ambala-Delhi national highway blocked for nearly six hours
- Injured official
- Jathedar Jagdish Singh Jhinda, HSGMC president
- FIR against Mand
- Registered Thursday at 4:52 pm against Mand and his son Bhavjot Singh
- Charges
- Attempt to murder, rash driving, causing hurt and criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Trigger incident
- August 7 altercation at Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib over a pedestrian route dispute
Quotes
Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj
Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Amritsar
“When talks were underway, the sudden use of force against Sikhs by the government was wrong and the circumstances leading to the action should be investigated.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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