Protest March by Waris Punjab De Demands Release of MP Amritpal Singh, Clashes with Police

Mohali, Punjab – Thousands of supporters of the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) faction, along with members of other Sikh organisations, staged a protest march on Wednesday from Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali towards Chandigarh. The demonstrators demanded the release of the party’s Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh and other Sikh detainees, as well as the withdrawal of the National Security Act (NSA) charges against him.

The protesters attempted to proceed towards the residences of Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. In response, authorities deployed heavy police force at the Chandigarh-Mohali border near Burail Jail and erected barricades to prevent the march from entering the city. Clashes were reported between some demonstrators and police personnel, though no serious injuries were immediately confirmed.

Amritpal Singh, a controversial Sikh preacher and MP, was arrested in April 2023 under the NSA and remains in detention. His supporters view him as a political prisoner, while the government maintains his detention is necessary for public order. The march highlights ongoing tensions over the application of the NSA and the demands of Sikh activist groups.

The protest was largely peaceful, with leaders urging restraint, but sporadic scuffles broke out when police tried to disperse crowds attempting to cross barricades. Authorities have not released official figures on arrests or injuries. The situation remains under control, with security forces monitoring the area.

This protest comes amid a broader debate in Punjab about the use of preventive detention laws and the rights of political dissenters. The state government has defended its actions, citing legal provisions, while critics argue that the NSA is being used to suppress legitimate political expression.