Protestors Had Intent to Kill Policeman at Chandigarh-Mohali Border, FIR Filed By Chandigarh Police States

New details from the clash between Chandigarh police and protestors at the Chandigarh-Mohali border have been revealed by an FIR filed by the police. It states that the protestors attempted to kill a policeman along with snatching a teargas handgun and its ammunition. The clash took place on Wednesday, February 8, and lasted for over two hours.

Chandigarh police has filed an FIR in connection to the altercation between the police and the protestors demanding the release of ‘Bandi Singhs’. Seven people have been named in the FIR and have been charged under section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code, the Arms Act, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, totaling charges under 17 sections.

The FIR states that protestors deliberately damaged police vehicles and other equipment including a water cannon vehicle, two police jeeps, a fire-fighting vehicle, and some other vehicles with sticks and swords. It added that some protestors were yelling pro-Khalistan slogans on horseback while some were on tractors as they tried to attack the police with swords, spears, and sticks. Furthermore, the FIR mentions that the protestors took a tear gas handgun, ammunition from the water canon vehicle, and other equipment lying in the vehicles of Rapid Action Force, and around 20 police barricades were damaged.

Videos and photos from the scene showed some protestors in a tractor breaking through barricades while others could be seen brandishing sticks and swords. According to Chandigarh DGP Praveer Ranjan, the protestors expressed a few days ago that they wanted to visit Punjab CM Mann’s residence to which they were informed by the police that since it is a high-security zone, no protests can be allowed there. Then, on February 8, about 1,000 protestors reached Sector 52-53 at the Chandigarh-Mohali border after some talks with the police there, they got aggravated and started damaging the barricades.

Some reports stated that the altercation was aggravated after an incident of stone pelting which then lead to the police lathi charging and using the water cannon.

Chandigarh police is looking for the persons named in the FIR which include Gurcharan Singh, Balwinder Singh, Amar Singh Chahal, Dilsher Singh Jandiala, all of whom are associated with the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha.

Vineet Washington