Chandigarh: Tension prevailed in Chandigarh on Monday after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ministers and party workers attempted to march towards the residence of Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, triggering a confrontation with the police.
Ahead of the protest, Chandigarh Police had deployed heavy security and installed barricades at multiple points leading to Bajwa’s house, anticipating possible law-and-order issues.
As AAP workers moved forward and tried to cross the barricades, police personnel stepped in to block the march, leading to pushing, scuffles and sharp verbal exchanges between the two sides.
The situation escalated when protesters refused to disperse, prompting the police to use water cannons to control the crowd. A mild lathi-charge was also carried out, forcing several party workers to retreat from the area.
Senior AAP leaders at the protest accused the police of using excessive force and termed the action “high-handed.” They claimed the demonstration was peaceful and meant to convey their message democratically.
Police officials, however, defended their actions, stating that permission for the march was not granted due to security concerns and that preventive measures were necessary to maintain public order.
The protest was led by cabinet ministers Harbhajan Singh ETO, Dr Balbir Singh, Mahendra Bhagat, Harpal Singh Cheema, Sunny Aluwalia and Dr Ravjot Singh, along with several other party leaders.
Thousands of AAP workers participated in the march, raising slogans and attempting to move closer to the LoP’s residence despite repeated warnings from the authorities.
Traffic movement in parts of the city was briefly affected due to the protest and heightened security deployment, officials said.
The situation was brought under control after police dispersed the crowd, though political tensions between the ruling party in Punjab and the opposition continued to simmer.
