The Chandigarh Police have lodged an FIR against MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali and 15 other leaders and members of Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) over a protest held near Gaushala Chowk at the intersection of Sectors 44, 45, 50 and 51 on July 29.
The case has been registered at Sector 49 Police Station under Sections 121(1), 132 and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
As per the complaint, nearly 2,500 to 3,000 supporters of Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) gathered at Gaushala Chowk under the leadership of senior party members. Police alleged that the gathering blocked the road, disrupting traffic and causing inconvenience to commuters. Protesters were carrying posters of Amritpal Singh and raising slogans seeking the release of Amritpal Singh and other Sikh prisoners.
The complaint states that police officers repeatedly informed the crowd that restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were in place. They were asked to move to the designated protest venue at Sector 25 Rally Ground after obtaining the required permission. However, the protesters allegedly refused to leave the spot and were encouraged by some leaders to cross the barricades.
Police alleged that some protesters carrying swords, axes, sticks and other sharp objects attacked security personnel, damaged barricades and tried to move further into the city. After several warnings, the police used water cannons and mild force, with approval from the Duty Magistrate, to disperse the gathering.
The FIR also claims that protesters damaged a Chandigarh Police water cannon vehicle and assaulted its driver. Assistant Sub-Inspector Gurjeet Singh suffered an injury to his hand and was taken to GMSH Sector 16 for medical treatment. A few other police personnel also received minor injuries during the operation.
Among those named in the FIR are MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali, Satinderjit Singh Gill, Kabal Singh Bhullar, Jagdeep Singh Kansala, Iqbal Singh Sandhu, Parmjit Singh Johal, former MLA Ajeeb Singh Makhmailpur, Chamkaur Singh Dhunn, Iman Singh Khara, Jaswinder Singh Droli, Iqbal Singh Chunda, Karnail Singh Panjoli, Lakha Sidhana, Bhana Sidhu and Lakhvir Singh Lakha. The investigation has been assigned to Sub-Inspector Bhupinder Singh of Sector 49 Police Station.
Also read: Water cannons used as Waris Punjab De workers protest
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