Punjab Police Deploy Water Cannon as Protesters March to Chief Minister’s Residence

On July 29, 2026, Punjab Police used water cannons to disperse workers of the Akali Dal Waris Punjab De who were attempting to force their way from Mohali to Chandigarh to 'gherao' (besiege) the residence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

A heavy police presence was deployed at the Mohali-Chandigarh border to prevent the protestors from entering the Union Territory. The Akali Dal Waris Punjab De had announced the march to demand the release of Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh and other Sikh prisoners, referred to as 'Bandi Singhs'.

Protesters carried posters of Amritpal Singh and the 'Bandi Singhs'. Among them was Tarsem Singh, father of Amritpal Singh. The demonstration began at Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali and proceeded towards the Chief Minister’s residence.

Despite barricades erected by police at the border, several protesters managed to break through and continued towards the CM's residence. One protester even climbed atop the police water cannon vehicle.

The Akali Dal Waris Punjab De has been seeking the release of Amritpal Singh, who is currently lodged in Assam’s Dibrugarh jail in connection with the 2023 Ajnala Police Station attack case. His detention under the National Security Act ended on April 22. The 'Bandi Singhs' are individuals convicted for involvement in militancy during the Punjab insurgency of the 1990s; some Sikh bodies claim they remain imprisoned even after completing their sentences.