Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Police Use Water Cannon Against Punjab Congress Protesters in Chandigarh
On September 8, Punjab Congress workers held a protest in Chandigarh.
They wanted to march to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s home.
Police had placed barricades to stop them.
When protesters tried to cross the barricades, police used water cannons.
Congress leaders said drugs and crime were serious problems in Punjab.
They also criticized the government’s education program and borrowing.
The protesters burned an effigy of the chief minister.
The report does not include a response from the Aam Aadmi Party government.
Chandigarh Police used water cannon to disperse Punjab Congress protesters on September 8.
The protesters were trying to reach Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence to gherao it.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring led the demonstration outside the party office.
Congress leaders accused the AAP government of failing on drug control and law and order.
The party also criticized the government’s borrowing, debt, and Sikhya Kranti program.
- Who
- Punjab Congress leaders and workers, led by Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, were confronted by Chandigarh Police.
- What
- Police used water cannon to disperse protesters attempting to march toward the chief minister’s residence.
- When
- September 8, described in the report as Tuesday.
- Where
- Outside the Punjab Congress office and near the planned route to Bhagwant Mann’s residence in Chandigarh.
- Why
- The Congress was protesting alleged drug problems, deteriorating law and order, government borrowing, state debt, and the alleged failure of the Sikhya Kranti program.
Punjab Congress’ allegations
Police and government position reported
Law and order and drug menace
Punjab Congress’ allegations
Congress leaders said the drug problem had worsened and that law and order had collapsed under the AAP government.
Police and government position reported
The report does not include a response from the AAP government to these allegations.
March toward the chief minister’s residence
Punjab Congress’ allegations
Punjab Congress leaders and workers attempted to proceed to Bhagwant Mann’s residence to gherao it.
Police and government position reported
Chandigarh Police deployed heavy force and used barricades and water cannon to prevent the march from reaching the residence.
Government performance
Punjab Congress’ allegations
Amrinder Singh Raja Warring called the Sikhya Kranti program a complete failure and criticized the state’s debt and heavy borrowing.
Police and government position reported
The report does not provide the AAP government’s response to these criticisms.
- Protest leader
- Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring
- Chief minister targeted
- Bhagwant Mann
- Police action
- Water cannon used to disperse protesters
- Protest location
- Punjab Congress office, Chandigarh
- Main allegations
- Drug menace and deteriorating law and order
- Other criticisms
- Heavy borrowing, state debt, and alleged failure of Sikhya Kranti
- Additional participants
- Congress MP Gurjit Singh Aujla, former minister Balbir Singh Sidhu, and former MLAs Rana KP Singh and Raj Kumar Verka