Water cannons used to stop SAD, BSP leaders from reaching Punjab CM house

Mohali

Police on Tuesday used water cannons to disperse SAD and BSP leaders and workers to stop them from proceeding ahead to ‘gherao’ Punjab CM Amari­nder Singh’s residence.

Protesters led by SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal shouted slogans against the Congress-led government ov­er issues including irregularities in the purchase of ‘Fateh’ kits and the alleged diversion of Covid vaccine doses to private hospitals.

It was the first joint protest of the SAD and BSP, days after both the parties stitched an alliance for the 2022 Punjab assembly polls.

BSP state president Jasbir Singh Garhi was also present. Several Akali leaders, including Badal, Bikram Singh Majithia and Jasbir Singh Garhi and workers were detained by police. They were taken to Kurali police station but were released later.

Police personnel were deployed in strength and multi-layered barricades were put up on the road leading to the CM’s residence. SAD and BSP had planned to ‘gherao’ the CM’s private residence at Siswan in Mohali. Initially, scores of Akali and BSP protesters forced their way through the first layer of barricades. Police used water cannons when protesters tried to cross the second layer of barricades. In the me­lee, turbans of several protesters were tossed aside as cops used water cannons.