AAP workers to hold rally at Nangal today, end dharna

The dharna by AAP workers against the BBMB at the Nangal Dam over the alleged release of extra water to Haryana from the Punjab share will end with a rally tomorrow.

The dharna was started on May 1 when CM Mann first visited the Nangal Dam and stopped the authorities from releasing extra water to Haryana. CM Bhagwant Mann would address the rally on Wednesday. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal was also expected to address the rally, sources said.

The BBMB would release extra water from the dam tonight as per the share decided at a meeting of the technical panel of the boar. The extra water to Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan would be released from the Bhakra mainline canal.

The depletion period of the Bhakra Dam that extends from September 20 to May 20 would end tonight. The coming months are considered to be the filling period for the dam.

Addressing the dharna of AAP workers, Chairman of Guru Ravidas Ayurvedic University, Sanjeev Gautam praised CM Mann for saving the water share of Punjab. He said that the BBMB had been abusing the Punjab’s water share since long. The previous state governments had been ignoring the issue, he said.

Sanjeev Gautam said though AAP workers had won the latest battle of protecting the state waters, struggle over other issues would continue.