Mohali, August 17: Security forces maintained strict vigil across border checkpoints to prevent an unauthorized march toward Punjab Lok Bhawan, leading to multiple arrests and legal proceedings after groups tried to cross city boundaries on Saturday.
Police registered four distinct cases at various police stations under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Arms Act, and the Punjab Security of State Act. Among those named in the filings are Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann, his son Emaan Singh Mann, and prominent figures associated with the agitation such as Bapu Gurcharan Singh and Lakha Sidhana.
Law enforcement officers faced opposition while enforcing District Magistrate orders, with some demonstrators attempting to bypass barriers at Heera Singh Chowk and Sector 51/52.
“Protesters attacked policemen and tried to breach multiple layers of barricades during the march towards Punjab Lok Bhawan,” declared official sources.
During the enforcement operations, police intercepted vehicles at the Sector 7/8 dividing road, recovering sharp weapons and detaining nine individuals. To manage crowd movement near the Sector 51/52 dividing road, drone-based tear gas dropping was introduced for the first time by Chandigarh Police.
“Mann allegedly disguised himself as a patient, with his head wrapped in bandages, and sat in an ambulance in a bid to slip past the security cordon near Punjab Lok Bhawan,” maintained police sources while confirming his detention along with three associates.
The long-standing agitation centers on the demand for the release of Sikh prisoners. Authorities confirmed that thorough investigations into all recorded incidents are actively proceeding.
