Armed Sikhs go on a rampage in Chandigarh, loot riot gear, fire tender: Watch

The protesters have been demanding the release of prisoners, also known as Bandi Sikhs, some of whom are related to Beant Singh

New Delhi, Feb 09: At least 33 police personnel, including female officers were injured and dozens of police vehicles after armed Sikh protesters near the Chandigarh-Mohali border went on a rampage.

The prosters were part of the Kaumi Insaaf Morcha and were demanding the release of prisoners, also known as Bandi Sikhs, some of whom are the relatives of Beant Singh.
Videos of the violence shared on the social media show the extent of the protest. Police personnel can be heard screaming. The Chandigarh police have filed a an FIR under sections for attempt to murder, rioting and assault of public servants at Mataur police station. A probe is currently underway.

Reports said that the Sikh protesters had gathered near the border at 1 pm on February 8. They had planned to march to Chief Minster, Bhagwant Singh Mann's residence. The police in a bid to prevent them had barricaded the road. Reports said that this angered the protesters, who then began getting violent by pelting stones at the police officials. The police on its part used water cannons to disperse the mob. The mob then got violent and attacked the police men.

Visuals on the social media show the armed Sikhs attacked the police with rods, sticks and swords. Sharp-edged weapons were also used by the protesters. In an attempt to enter Chandigarh, the armed Sikhs also came on horses and tractors and ploughed into the barricades.

Reports said that the the use of force by the police further angered the protesters. They closed the water cannon vehicle and attacked the police officers controlling the vehicle. The Nihang Sikhs who were on the road, created a ruckus and damaged dozens of police vehicles. The barricades were dragged from their positions and moved away while the protesters continued to raise slogans.

The clash lasted nearly 2 hours in which 22 police personnel of the Chandigarh police and 11 Mohali police ere injured. Seven of them were female police, reports also said. Nine were from the Rapid Action Force and three from the Home Guards. All are being treated at a hospital.

Director Health Services, Chandigarh, Dr. Suman Singh said, "the injured police personnel were taken to the government multi-speciality hospital, sector-16. Some of the police personnel were hit with sharp-edged weapons. No police personnel has sustained major injuries. The injured police personnel from Mohali were shifted to Phase-6 civil hospital while one police personnel was taken to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector-32."

Before leaving, the protesters took away a fire tender and over a dozen barricades of the Chandigarh police with them.

Chandigarh Director General of Police, Praveen Ranjan blamed the Kaumi Insaaf Morcha for the violence. "Kaumi Insaaf Morcha is solely responsible for whatever happened today. Hooligans were part of the crowd. A meeting was already slated for them on Wednesday. Despite that, they resorted to violence. Legal action will be taken against all those involved," he said in a statement.

"Three days back, the protesters announced that they would march to the Punjab CM's house. They were informed that permission for any protest could not be granted, as Section 144 of the CrPC is imposed in Chandigarh. Yet on Wednesday, around 150 protesters came to Sector 52/53 dividing road to enter the city and attacked policemen when they were stopped," the DGP also said.

The DGP also raised questions over the inaction of the Punjab police and asked how were armed men allowed to roam the streets.

He however added that the police did not provoke the protesters and exercised restraint for a long time.