A dispute over the election of a truck operators' union in Bhawanigarh, Sangrur, escalated into violence late Saturday, with protesters blocking the Chandigarh–Bathinda highway and pelting stones at police. By Sunday evening, authorities had arrested 27 individuals and booked approximately 150 others. Three police personnel sustained injuries during the stone pelting.
Background of the Conflict
The clash stemmed from rival claims over the union presidency. One faction, backed by AAP leader Gurmail Singh Ghrachon—who contested the 2022 Sangrur Lok Sabha bypoll—declared Malwinder Singh Mala as president, citing consensus. Ghrachon explained, 'Earlier attempts were made to hold elections, but disputes kept emerging between groups. That is why an administrative consensus was reached on Mala.'
Escalation of Tensions
Tensions flared when Lovedeep Sharma, also known as Kakkra, was being felicitated as president by the opposing faction on Saturday. This group was supported by AAP Sangrul MLA Narinder Kaur Bharaj. The situation deteriorated when police detained Sharma during the event, prompting supporters to block the highway. Bharaj criticized the police response, stating, 'This is undemocratic, and the police response was excessive. The protestors had pelted stones, but the case was registered under attempt to murder charges. I do not justify the clash with police, but workers pelted stones only after the police resorted to lathi charge for the third time and failed to hold talks.'
Police Response
DSP Rahul Kaushal reported that protesters targeted vehicles and police, damaging police cars and injuring officers. 'We appealed repeatedly for a peaceful end to the dharna, but stone-pelting left us no choice but to use force,' he said. SSP Sangrur S S Chahal added that 'miscreants with covered faces' took advantage of the situation, damaging vehicles and injuring three personnel. He confirmed 27 arrests and ongoing investigations.
Legal Action
Police used force to detain the accused and clear the highway. An FIR has been registered under Section 109 (attempt to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the National Highways Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
