Chandigarh Police used tear gas and water cannons on Saturday to disperse protesters belonging to the Quami Insaaf Morcha who attempted to march towards the Governor House from neighbouring Mohali. The protesters were demanding the release of Sikh prisoners who have remained incarcerated for long periods. The confrontation took place near the Sector 51/52 dividing road as police tried to prevent the march from proceeding further. Several photographs and videos from the area showed protesters gathered behind police barricades as security personnel attempted to contain the demonstration.

Police fired tear gas shells and deployed water cannons when the protesters sought to move beyond the barricading. The action led to a tense confrontation between the protesters and security personnel. Some demonstrators were seen standing on overturned barricades and confronting the water cannons. Visuals also showed one or two protesters carrying lathis while attempting to cross the police barricading. The police response was aimed at dispersing the gathering and preventing the protesters from advancing towards the Governor House.

The Quami Insaaf Morcha has been campaigning for the release of Sikh prisoners who, according to the protesters, have completed long periods of imprisonment but remain incarcerated. The demand for the release of such prisoners has been a longstanding issue among sections of the Sikh community and has previously led to protests and marches in Punjab and Chandigarh. The planned march from Mohali towards the Governor House brought the protesters into direct confrontation with the Chandigarh Police, which had put up barricades along the route.

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As the demonstrators gathered and attempted to move forward, police used crowd-control measures including tear gas and water cannons to prevent them from crossing the security line. The confrontation comes amid continued demands by Sikh groups for action concerning prisoners serving lengthy sentences. Protesters have argued that those who have completed the terms applicable to their cases should be released, while authorities have maintained that such matters are governed by legal and administrative procedures.

The latest demonstration highlights the continuing sensitivity surrounding the issue of long-incarcerated Sikh prisoners. The use of tear gas and water cannons to disperse Saturday's march also underscores the tensions that can arise when protest groups attempt to move towards sensitive government premises. Further details on any injuries, arrests or damage following the confrontation were not immediately available.

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