Police Detain BJP Workers Protesting Against Punjab Govt In Chandigarh

Punjab police used water cannons in an attempt to disperse the BJP workers protesting against the state government.

Police detained BJP workers and leaders protesting against the Punjab government in Chandigarh.

Source : Twitter/@ANI

New Delhi: Punjab police on Thursday detained BJP workers and leaders who tried to march towards the Vidhan Sabha to gherao it against the "deteriorating" law and order in the state in Chandigarh. 

A video shared by ANI shows police using water cannons in an attempt to disperse the BJP workers protesting against the Punjab government.

#WATCH | Punjab BJP workers & leaders protest against the state Government in Chandigarh over various issues. Police use water cannons to disperse them. pic.twitter.com/YOgoNAlpwg

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2023

Water cannons were used on the protestors after they tried to jump over the police barricades erected to stop them from reaching the Vidhan Sabha.

Visuals shared by ANI showed Punjab police detaining the protestors.

Punjab | Police detain BJP workers & leaders protesting against the state Government in Chandigarh over various issues. pic.twitter.com/lgdCTWFXWi

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2023

The protest, led by Punjab BJP chief Ashwani Sharma, was held near the party office in Chandigarh before they tried to move toward the Vidhan Sabha, which is currently in session, PTI reported.

The protestors during the demonstration alleged that divisive elements were again raising their heads after the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government came to power in the state.

The BJP workers also cited the recent siege of the Ajnala police station by supporters of radical preacher Amritpal Singh, who carried swords and guns and clashed with the police demanding the release of one of Singh's aides.

Alleging inaction on part of authorities in the incident, state BJP chief Sharma said, "There is no rule of law, jungle raj prevails in Punjab and criminals are roaming freely." He had recently written to Mann seeking an all-party meeting to discuss the "deteriorating" law and order in the state.

BJP leaders and former Punjab ministers Manpreet Singh Badal and Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi also took part in the protest.

(With inputs from PTI)