Traffic disrupted as Sikh leaders stage highway blockade in Ambala Cantonment; traffic restored after 6 hours
Several policemen, including a DSP-rank officer, and protesters suffer injuries
After over six hours of blockade, the traffic on the national highway here was restored around 9 pm. The police had to use tear gas and cane- charge the protesters to get the road vacated.
Several policemen, including a DSP-rank officer, and protesters suffered injuries. Several vehicles were also damaged.
Members and leaders of the Sikh community blocked traffic on the Amritsar-Delhi National Highway in Ambala Cantonment, causing inconvenience to commuters as both lanes were shut.
The protesters demanded action against Gursimran Singh Mand, national president of the International Anti-Khalistani Terrorist Front, and sought the release of Sikh youths arrested in connection with an assault case.
Mand was allegedly assaulted near Gurdwara Panjokhara Sahib on August 7. He, his son and two policemen sustained injuries in the incident, while his vehicle was also damaged. A case was registered on Mand’s complaint against unidentified persons.
However, Sikh community leaders alleged that Mand had provoked the sangat. Meanwhile, the Ambala police had arrested two individuals in connection with the case, and they were sent to judicial custody on Wednesday.
Unhappy with the police action and non-registration of an FIR against Mand and his son, the Sikh community members on Thursday gathered at Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib before deciding to block the highway.
Although police had installed barricades to stop them, the protesters removed them and took different routes to reach the National Highway.
Tear gas was also used to stop the protesters; however, it failed to stop them. During the struggle, HSGMC president Jagdish Singh Jhinda and another youth suffered injuries, while BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) spokesman Tejveer Singh was also taken to hospital for treatment.
Tejveer said, “The community members wanted to hold a peaceful protest to press their demands but barricades were installed and tear gas was used.”
Meanwhile, on the request of the community members, an FIR has been registered against Mand and his son.
