Withdraw CISF men from Bhakra Dam: Punjab CM Mann to PM

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the decision with regard to deployment of 296 personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Bhakra Dam, Nangal, without any delay.

Talking to mediapersons here today, Mann warned the Centre that "it could not loot Punjab's waters by deploying the CISF or the Army till the Aam Aadmi Party government is ruling the state".

Mann said in case the Centre deployed CISF personnel at the dam, then Punjab would also deploy its police there. In such a situation, any engineer of the BBMB would only be able to enter the dam to open its gates if the Punjab Police allowed him to enter the site, he added.

The CM said he would strongly oppose the decision at the Niti Aayog's meeting, which will be attended by the Prime Minister, on May 24. He further said neither Punjab would allow payment of Rs 8.58 crore through the BBMB for deployment of 296 CISF personnel, nor would it give even a single penny from its state exchequer.

He told the Centre that Punjab could also protect the Bhakra Dam, which was in the jurisdiction of the state, if it could protect the international border. He feared the CISF was being deployed to steal water from the dam for Haryana.

Mann also said the decision to deploy CISF personnel at the Bhakra Dam had been conveyed to Director (Security and Consultancy), BBMB, Chandigarh, through a letter dated May 19, 2025, by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. He asked the leaders of Punjab BJP, especially Capt Amarinder Singh, Manpreet Singh Badal, Ravneet Singh Bittu and Sunil Jakhar, whether the letter was issued with their consent.

Mann said the BJP should not do injustice to Punjab as it had already been fighting against drugs smuggling at the border and instead announce a special package for the state.

He said he would try to maintain cordial relations with the Centre, but wouldn't tolerate any injustice to the state.