Chandigarh, August 18: Efforts to resolve the law and order situation in Ambala led to parallel developments in Chandigarh and Ambala City following clashes that left multiple police personnel and protesters injured. While a representative body of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee sought executive intervention, internal dissent within the management body and counter-demands from injured police families highlighted ongoing friction.
“The kin of injured policemen had arrived to mark their resentment against attacks on police personnel,” stated Ambala SP Ajit Singh Shekhawat, addressing security concerns after a confrontation on NH-44 left officers, including DSP Virender Sharma, injured.
The district police chief maintained that authorities resorted to mild force to clear the national highway after warning protesters carrying weapons to vacate the road.
“Multiple warnings were given and they were asked to vacate the national highway, but to no avail,” SP Shekhawat stated, affirming that the police administration remains willing to maintain peaceful discussions.
In Chandigarh, HSGMC senior vice-president Gurmeet Singh led a five-member delegation to present their grievances directly to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. The group sought the cancellation of FIRs filed against Sikh youth and strict proceedings against Gursimran Singh Mand.
“Our objective is to resolve the matter in a peaceful manner,” Gurmeet Singh stated, emphasizing that the management body is taking steps to de-escalate tensions.
The meeting drew criticism from HSGMC president Jagdish Singh Jhinda, who was injured in the earlier standoff. Jhinda asserted that the delegation acted independently without informing the central leadership.
“It appears that some people want to divide the HSGMC,” Jhinda stated, maintaining that the main decision-making remains tied to the August 25 congregation called by the Sikh Sangat.
