Protest Over Gurdwara Incident Blocks Amritsar-Delhi Highway, Police Fire Tear Gas
Ambala (Haryana), August 14: A protest over an incident at Gurdwara Shri Panjokhra Sahib escalated into a major confrontation with police on Thursday, as demonstrators blocked the Amritsar-Delhi National Highway for several hours. Authorities resorted to firing tear gas to disperse the gathering, resulting in injuries to at least seven police personnel and several protesters.
The protest, which began at the gurdwara, moved to the highway near Jaggi City Centre in Ambala Cantonment after barricades were allegedly removed. Traffic on the busy corridor, which connects Delhi to Amritsar, came to a halt for hours before police managed to clear the road.
The unrest is linked to an August 7 incident during Gurpurab celebrations at the gurdwara. Sikh community representatives have alleged that Gursimran Singh Mand, who identifies himself as the national president of the International Anti-Khalistani Terrorist Front (IAKTF), drove his SUV towards devotees after vehicular movement had been restricted. They claim several devotees were injured in the incident. These allegations have not been independently verified.
The protesters demanded that the police register a First Information Report (FIR) against Mand, saying repeated representations had been ignored. Community leaders had earlier issued an ultimatum, warning that a large gathering from Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh would assemble at Panjokhra Sahib if action was not taken by August 13.
On Thursday, a large number of Sikh devotees, including women and children, gathered at the gurdwara before moving towards the highway. Police had set up barricades to prevent any march, but the protesters reportedly bypassed them via alternative routes, leading to the blockade.
Senior police officials tried to persuade the protesters to withdraw from the road, but the situation remained tense. Eventually, tear gas shells were fired to disperse the crowd. In the ensuing chaos, seven policemen sustained injuries. HSGMC president Jagdish Singh Jhinda, who was present at the protest, was also injured, though the nature of his injuries was not immediately known.
The protesters also raised concerns about the detention of some Sikh youths in connection with the wider dispute, alleging that they were held for questioning and later released after intervention by HSGMC representatives. No official confirmation of these detentions was available.
The controversy dates back to the events of August 7. Following the alleged incident involving Mand's vehicle, Mand and his son Bhavjot Singh were reportedly assaulted outside the gurdwara, and his SUV was damaged. Police personnel assigned to Mand's security were also reported injured. Mand has been provided enhanced security since then.
Sikh community representatives have maintained that devotees were the first to be injured and have demanded what they call impartial action. A complaint seeking action against Mand was submitted to the police after the incident, but the administration's alleged delay in registering an FIR has become the central issue.
The administration has not yet issued an official response to the allegations. Community leaders have warned that the agitation could intensify if the demand is not addressed, raising the possibility of further disruptions in the region.
