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Police Halt Punjab Farmers’ March to Chandigarh With Tear Gas and Water Cannons

Officials limited access to a 32-member delegation, spurring plans for effigy burnings followed by a May 21 strategy meeting.

Overview

  • Chandigarh Police, which used tear gas and water cannons Friday, stopped Samyukta Kisan Morcha workers at the MohaliChandigarh border as they tried to march to Lok Bhavan to submit a memorandum to the Governor.
  • Officers said the administration had cleared only 32 union representatives to meet Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, so the larger procession lacked permission and was blocked at barricades.
  • Police reported brief detentions and minor injuries to personnel, while SKM leaders including Joginder Singh Ugrahan said a few farmers were hurt during the pushback.
  • Protest leaders pressed for a legal guarantee of minimum support prices and for river water decisions based on the riparian principle, and they opposed central measures they say curb Punjab’s control over waters, including Sections 78–80 of the Reorganisation Act and the Dam Safety and Water Amendment laws.
  • Farm unions also alleged the Centre is diluting Punjab’s role in the Bhakra Beas Management Board, traffic was diverted at points like the Matour barrier during the standoff, and leaders announced statewide effigy burnings on Saturday with next steps to be set on May 21.