2 weeks ago
Tear gas, water cannons used against Qaumi Insaf Morcha marchers
Some people in India held a big march in the city of Chandigarh to ask for prisoners to be set free.
The prisoners are Sikh people who went to jail long ago for things that happened in the 1990s.
The group that organised the march is called the Qaumi Insaf Morcha.
The marchers wanted to walk to the house of the Governor, the leader of the state.
The police put up walls of barricades and barbed wire to stop the marchers.
When some people tried to break through, the police used tear gas, which makes eyes sting, and water cannons to push them back.
The police asked people to stay calm and peaceful.
A famous Sikh leader was taken away by the police.
The organisers said they will keep asking peacefully for the prisoners to be freed.
They also asked everyone to take part in a big shutdown on August 21.
Chandigarh police fired tear gas shells, including some dropped by drone, and used water cannons to disperse Qaumi Insaf Morcha marchers heading to Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria's residence.
The march sought the release of 'Bandi Singhs' (Sikh prisoners), including Jagtar Singh Hawara, Balwant Singh Rajoana and Devinderpal Singh Bhullar.
The Qaumi Insaf Morcha called for a 'Punjab Bandh' on August 21 to press for the prisoners' release and urged public support.
Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann was detained by police as he tried to reach the Governor's residence.
Authorities sealed Chandigarh–Mohali border points, erected multi-layer barbed-wire barricades and deployed Rapid Action Force personnel; some protesters attempted to pull down barricades with a tractor.
- Who
- Qaumi Insaf Morcha protesters, Chandigarh police, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and detained Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann
- What
- Police dispersed a march demanding the release of Sikh prisoners using tear gas, drone-dropped tear gas shells and water cannons; the morcha also called a Punjab Bandh for August 21
- Where
- Chandigarh, India, during a march toward the Punjab Governor's residence at Lok Bhavan
- When
- Saturday, August 15, 2026
- Why
- To demand the release of 'Bandi Singhs' — Sikh prisoners such as Jagtar Singh Hawara, Balwant Singh Rajoana and Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, whom the morcha says remain jailed despite completing their sentences
Protesters and Sikh bodies
Police and security authorities
Release of Sikh prisoners
Protesters and Sikh bodies
The morcha, backed by Sikh bodies including the Shiromani Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) and SAD (Punar Surjit), demands the release of 'Bandi Singhs', saying several remain jailed despite completing their sentences, and seeks parole for Hawara to meet his ailing mother.
Police and security authorities
The prisoners are serving sentences for convictions in serious cases, including the 1995 assassination of Punjab chief minister Beant Singh and the 1993 Delhi bomb blast, and authorities treated the march with heavy security.
Protest conduct and police response
Protesters and Sikh bodies
Morcha leaders said police used tear gas and water cannons on protesters and vowed to continue the battle peacefully; Hawara himself appealed for a peaceful march.
Police and security authorities
Police said protesters tried to breach barricades and barbed wire, including with a tractor, and used tear gas and water cannons to disperse them while appealing for calm.
Key facts
- Protest
- Qaumi Insaf Morcha march to Punjab Governor's residence
- Police response
- Tear gas shells (including drone-dropped) and water cannons
- Key demand
- Release of 'Bandi Singhs' (Sikh prisoners)
- Named prisoners
- Jagtar Singh Hawara, Balwant Singh Rajoana, Devinderpal Singh Bhullar
- Punjab Bandh
- Called for August 21
- Detained leader
- Simranjit Singh Mann, president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)
- Security measures
- Chandigarh–Mohali borders sealed; multi-layer barricades with barbed wire; Rapid Action Force deployed
- Ongoing campaign
- Sit-in at Sector 52-53, Chandigarh and YPS Chowk, Mohali since January 7, 2023
Quotes
SAD (Punar Surjit) president Giani Harpreet Singh
President of SAD (Punar Surjit) political party
“"Are Sikhs not residents of this country? Is Punjab not part of India? If you consider Punjab part of India, and if you also consider the Constitution is equal for all, then Sikhs should also be given equal rights."”
theprint.in
rediff.com
“Later, speaking to reporters, Qaumi Insaf Morcha leaders claimed that police used teargas shells and water cannons on protesters when they reached near barricades.”
theprint.in
Sources
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