Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, during his visit to Nangal on Thursday, accused the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) chairman of unlawfully releasing 200 cusecs of water to Haryana, despite heightened national security concerns and emergency-like conditions triggered by recent India-Pakistan tensions.
Speaking outside BBMB’s Sutlej Sadan rest house in Nangal, CM Mann alleged that the BBMB chairman, Manoj Tripathi, had personally overseen the release of water earlier in the day. “This is an irresponsible act, especially at a time when the nation is on high alert due to cross-border tensions,” Mann said, warning that Tripathi would be held accountable if the issue sparked unrest in Punjab.
The Chief Minister claimed Haryana had already exhausted its water quota for the current allocation cycle by March 31, 2025, and that no authority — including the Centre, the Punjab government, or the High Court — had approved any additional release. “The advisory from the May 2 meeting only recommended a release of 4,500 cusecs, not mandated it,” he added.
Asserting Punjab’s worsening water crisis, Mann said the state was already struggling to supply drinking and irrigation water to its own villages. “We have already provided additional water to Haryana for drinking purposes on humanitarian grounds,” he said.
Mann also reignited the SYL Canal debate, saying, “The SYL Canal should be converted to YSL Canal, and Yamuna water should be diverted to the Sutlej instead.”
The day’s events turned more dramatic when AAP workers, led by Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, locked the gates of Sutlej Sadan rest house, effectively confining Chairman Tripathi inside for nearly three hours.
Bains claimed the chairman attempted to release water to Haryana without Punjab's consent. He said a case would be filed against him.
Prior to the standoff at the rest house, AAP workers had reportedly gheraoed Tripathi at the Nangal Dam. He later sought refuge in the BBMB rest house, which was soon surrounded by protesting party members.
Around 1 pm, the Punjab Police escorted the BBMB chairman out of the premises under tight security, as AAP workers raised slogans. Tripathi did not make any public statements.
CM Mann later directed AAP volunteers to maintain a vigil at the dam. He called the board a “white elephant” who is allegedly acting under the influence of the BJP-led Central Government.
Punjab Irrigation Minister Varinder Goel stated that the BBMB’s decision-making process was illegal. “Bylaws mandate a seven-day notice for emergency meetings involving partner states. This meeting was convened with just four days’ notice, making it illegal,” Goel claimed.
The incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing water-sharing dispute, underscoring deepening mistrust between Punjab and the BBMB amid broader regional tensions.
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