Punjab convenes special Assembly session on Monday after BBMB's move to release water to Haryana

The Punjab government on Thursday convened a special Vidhan Sabha session on Monday on the issue of Haryana being given additional water from the Bhakra dam.

An all-party meeting has also been convened on Friday.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the AAP ministers and MLAs called on an urgent basis. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal were present in the meeting.

The meeting was convened to discuss the emerging situation after the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) order to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government has intensified security around the Nangal dam after the BBMB on Wednesday evening decided to release water to Haryana, a move which drew strong opposition from CM Mann, who said they would not tolerate "robbery" of Punjab's rights.

Mann visited the Nangal dam in Rupnagar district, where his minister Harjot Singh Bains, along with party workers, staged a dharna in protest against the BBMB's decision of giving water to Haryana.

Bains said they had taken "control" over the Nangal dam, and the room from where the water supply is regulated had been locked, and its key given to police.

Punjab Police also beefed up security at the Nangal dam, which is situated downstream of Bhakra dam, as part of security review arrangements.

Addressing the media at the Nangal dam, Mann said his government would not allow the release of more water to the neighbouring state, claiming it had already utilised its share. (With PTI)