BBMB’s attempt to release more water to Haryana thwarted

Tensions between Punjab and Haryana over the release of additional water to the latter from the Nangal dam escalated again on Thursday when Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Chairman Manoj Tripathi reached the Lohand control room in the morning and released 200 cusec water.

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The Punjab Government had reportedly not given its consent or placed an indent for the release of additional water. Swinging into action, state officials immediately stopped the flow of water to the neighbouring state.

By the time Tripathi reached Nangal, protesters and cops were already there and he could not reach the water regulation office there. A police official of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police reportedly asked Tripathi to wait in the Satluj Sadan while they arranged his meeting with senior functionaries of the Punjab Government.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Education Minister Harjot Bains also rushed to Nangal. Around 200 protesters gathered outside the Satluj Sadan rest house where Tripathi was seated. They protested against the attempt to release additional water to Haryana. It was after quite some time that the BBMB Chairman was escorted out by the police to his car after which he left Nangal.

The Punjab Government, led by CM Mann, strongly objected to the Tripathi’s attempt to release additional water to Haryana. Targeting the Centre and the BBMB for siding with Haryana, he said, “At such a crucial time for the country, the BJP is playing petty politics with Punjab. It is shameful that they are searching for an opportunity in the hour of national crisis. The BJP should tell us whether Punjab should safeguard the borders of the country or protect its river waters.” He asked AAP workers to maintain a vigil there.

In Chandigarh, the Punjab Government sent a letter to the Director (Security), BBMB, urging that the BBMB should not undertake any further action on the release of additional water to Haryana till it did not receive minutes of the meeting convened by Union Home Secretary on May 2.

A meeting of the Punjab Council of Ministers has also been convened on Friday morning, where the issue is expected to be discussed, besides the security situation and other issues.