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Ambala: DSP among 7 cops injured as protestors clash with police
Ambala SP Ajit Singh Shekhawat said that a few anti-social elements tried to disrupt the peace at the protest site and severed the hand of DSP (crime) Virender Sharma, Haryana director general of police (DGP) Ajay Singhal also visited the Military Hospital and the civil hospital to meet the injured cops
At least six police personnel including a DSP-rank officer were injured in Ambala as police removed Sikh protestors from their dharna on the Amritsar-Delhi National Highway (NH-44) outside Jaggi City Center on Thursday.
The traffic movement resumed on the key highway at around 9.15 pm after police fired multiple tear gas shells and used mild force to remove the protestors.
The protestors laid seize to the highway around 3 pm after marching from Panjokhara Sahib Gurdwara, demanding action against Gursimran Singh Mand, the national president of the International Anti-Khalistani Terrorist Front, release of Sikh youths arrested in connection with an assault case lodged last week and the cancellation of the said FIR.
Ambala SP Ajit Singh Shekhawat said that a few anti-social elements tried to disrupt the peace at the protest site and severed the hand of DSP (crime) Virender Sharma.
“They were carrying swords and other weapons and started attacking cops in the guise of dark. They also snatched away the keys from truck drivers including a gas-loaded truck, to extend the dharna and disrupt the harmony. We requested them to let us remove the gas truck to avoid any incident but they threatened the driver away,” he said.
“We conducted multiple rounds of dialogue, requesting them to allow traffic movement, but they did not. When cops came under attack, we had to use mild force to remove them and allow traffic movement. At least five other cops have received injuries and are undergoing treatment,” he added.
Haryana director general of police (DGP) Ajay Singhal also visited the Military Hospital and the civil hospital to meet the injured cops.
He said that the police handled the situation with restraint and responsibility, while working to ensure the smooth reopening of the highway for the convenience of the public and the maintenance of law and order.
“Even then, our DSP received a severe thumb injury and four other cops were admitted with head injury. Reports indicate that several other police personnel were also injured. We are identifying the culprits, a case will be registered and they will be arrested,” the DGP said.
The protests were led by members of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), headed by president Jagdish Singh Jhinda, the Haryana unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) under chief Harkesh Singh Mohri, BKU Shaheed Bhagat Singh and other groups from nearby towns in Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
Scores of community members from the three states gathered at Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib, where Jhinda also addressed them. After the address, the gathering decided to block the highway in support of their demand.
As the men marched toward NH-44, they faced heavy police force, barricades installed to stop them, and tear gas shells.
The protesters broke through the barricades, took different routes to reach the highway and staged a dharna. A police team fired shells at the dharna site, but to no avail.
On August 7, Mand was allegedly assaulted by a group of men outside Panjokhara Sahib Gurdwara in Ambala. Mand’s son and two policemen sustained injuries in the incident, and his vehicle was also damaged.
A case was registered on Mand’s complaint against unidentified persons. Police later arrested two men on Tuesday amid a protest outside the Panjokhara police station demanding their release.
On the other hand, Sikhs claimed that Mand provoked the sangat and even hit a few members with his vehicle.
Just after the highway dharna, Ambala SP had reached the site and met Jhinda to discuss the issues.
Later, an FIR copy was provided to Jhinda. Speaking to the media, he said, “The police have registered an FIR against Mand and his son by name under charges of attempt to murder and others. We have been provided a copy too. This is the result of Sikh unity.”
“We have also demanded the cancellation of the FIR against our men and release of two arrested youths, who were earlier detained and police assured us that they will be released, but we were betrayed. I’m here among you as Sikh representative, not the government’s and ready to sit overnight and continue to push for our demands,” he added.
SP said that the police accepted the demand to register FIR against Mand, but as other demands kept increasing, it was visible that they only aimed to extend the dharna.
