A serious law and order situation developed in the Ambala district of Haryana on Thursday (13th August), forcing law enforcement authorities to use tear gas shells and baton charges (lathicharge) to clear a major blockade on the Delhi-Amritsar National Highway. The demonstration was organized by Sikh protesters who were seeking immediate legal steps against Gursimran Singh Mand, the national president of the International Anti-Khalistani Terrorist Front.

During the confrontation between the demonstrating crowd and the security forces, six police personnel—including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)—sustained physical injuries.

The six injured personnel from the police department have been identified as DSP Virender Sharma, Constable Rakshit, Constable Naveen Kumar, Head Constable Sandeep Kumar, Assistant Sub-Inspector Satish, and Assistant Sub-Inspector Pankaj. Providing details on the severity of the clashes, Ambala Superintendent of Police (SP) Ajit Singh Shekhawat stated that certain individuals within the gathering used a sharp-edged weapon to attack DSP Virender Sharma, causing deep cuts and wounds to his hand.

In response to the physical assault on the officers, security teams used a mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd and reopen the highway for vehicular movement. SP Shekhawat observed that members of the mob carried out a “murderous attack” against the DSP and multiple other officers present at the location. Highlighting the legal measures being taken, the SP affirmed: “We will lodge an FIR after identifying them.”

SP Shekhawat further explained that several individuals in the crowd were carrying dangerous traditional arms, including spears, battle-axes, swords, and various other sharp items. To create a total roadblock and prevent authorities from opening the route, demonstrators reportedly took away the ignition keys of numerous commercial trucks and vehicles parked across the highway lanes. In a particularly hazardous move, protesters seized the key to a fuel gas tanker, ignoring multiple warnings from on-duty officers about the safety risks involved, and subsequently assaulted the personnel attempting to restore order.

Detailing the situation surrounding the fuel transport, SP Shekhawat stated: “We repeatedly requested them to allow the tanker to be shifted from the spot so that no accident takes place. But some mischievous elements ran away from the spot after snatching the tanker’s key.”

Giving an assessment of the crowd size and the timeline of the blockade, Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Ajay Singhal stated that an estimated 1,500 to 1,600 people first assembled at the Panjokhra Sahib Gurdwara. Around 3:00 PM, the group moved toward Jaggi City Centre and obstructed the Delhi-bound corridor connecting the Panipat-Jalandhar and Chandigarh highways.

The core grievance of the gathering centered on demanding the immediate release of two individuals, Harvinder Singh and Anmol Singh. Both men had been arrested by the police following a direct altercation with Gursimran Singh Mand on 7th August near the Panjokhra Sahib Gurdwara, situated along the Ambala-Naraingarh Road in Panjokhra, Haryana. Alongside the release of the two detained men, the demonstrators insisted that criminal proceedings be initiated against Mand himself.

Recounting the sequence of events from his hospital bed, injured Constable Naveen Kumar told ANI: “… they launched an unprovoked attack on the police personnel. Many officers were injured. Ten to twelve of our personnel sustained serious injuries. Our DSP was targeted, and I was attacked as well. The protesters were armed with various weapons, including spears, swords, and sticks. After a great deal of effort, the police managed to clear the highway blockade…”

Addressing the initial altercation, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) naming Gursimran Singh Mand and Bhavjot. The case was lodged based on an official complaint filed by Surinder Singh, an individual who suffered injuries during the confrontation on August 7. The case was registered at the Panjokhra Sahib police station under sections 109(1) (attempt to murder), 125(a) (act endangering life or personal safety), 281 (rash driving), and 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Background of the Panjokhra Sahib dispute

The recent unrest stems directly from an altercation that took place near the Panjokhra Sahib Gurdwara during the religious gatherings of Gurpurab. Members of the Sikh community who were present at the premises alleged that Gursimran Singh Mand attempted to drive his vehicle directly into the gathered devotees outside the gurdwara. This led to an immediate, heated clash between Mand and the local community members. Additionally, community members accused Mand of disrespecting and violating the established religious conduct and protocols of the Gurdwara.

During that confrontation, Mand and two of his personal security officers reportedly suffered injuries. Following an inquiry into the physical altercation, the police took Harvinder Singh and Anmol Singh into custody. Both individuals were formally presented before a judicial magistrate on Wednesday, where the court ordered them remanded to judicial custody.

History of Mand’s anti-separatism demonstrations

Gursimran Singh Mand has long been an outspoken public figure in campaigns against Khalistani separatism and has participated in multiple high-profile confrontations and public rallies opposing pro-Khalistan rhetoric.

In a widely reported incident in August 2023, a group of activists led by Ludhiana-based Mand attempted to unfurl the Indian National Flag (Tricolour) at a property owned by the designated Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in Sector 15, Chandigarh. Holding the national flag, Mand—in his capacity as the National President of the International Anti-Khalistani Front—along with his supporters, raised vocal slogans against Khalistani separatism and Gurpatwant Singh Pannu.