Police Forced to Retreat as Farmers Escalate Protest
In a dramatic turn of events at the Mohali-Chandigarh border on Monday, protesting farmers under the banner of Panjab University Bachao Morcha forced police personnel to retreat after intense confrontations. The agitation, which saw massive participation from farmer unions, student groups, and political leaders, brought traffic to a complete standstill at multiple key entry points between the two cities.
Border Blockade and Traffic Gridlock
Chandigarh Police had erected heavy barricades at the Phase 6 border, deploying trucks and buses to prevent protesters from entering the Union Territory. This led to massive traffic jams stretching for several kilometers at all major entry points including Phase 1, Phase 3A, Phase 6, and the Burail Jail entry point.
The situation escalated when Chandigarh Police and Haryana Police briefly entered Mohali territory to control the situation but faced stiff resistance from the protesters. The farmers stood their ground and eventually forced the police to retreat back to Chandigarh, marking a significant moment in the day-long protest.
Leadership and Demands
The protest was led by prominent farmer leaders including Balbir Singh Rajewal of Bharatiya Kisan Union Rajewal, Harinder Singh Lakhowal of BKU Lakhowal, and Manjit Singh Dhaner of BKU Dakonda. Other leaders like Lakha Sidhan and Bhana Sidhu assembled near Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali before attempting to join the main demonstration at Panjab University.
Speaking to media representatives, Balbir Singh Rajewal emphasized that Panjab University belongs to Punjab and praised students for defending its identity. He also announced that the next phase of Samyukt Kisan Morcha's struggle would focus on Punjab's water rights, with statewide protests on this issue scheduled to begin soon.
Widespread Disruption and Police Response
The protest caused extensive disruption throughout the day with traffic remaining heavily affected across Mohali. Police attempted to divert vehicles through alternative routes, but long queues formed at several choke points, creating chaos for commuters.
In Zirakpur, traffic remained snarled as Chandigarh Police conducted intensive vehicle checks along the Chandigarh-Zirakpur stretch, further worsening the congestion. The police barricades at Phase 6 border resulted in long lines of vehicles forming on both sides, effectively cutting off smooth access between Mohali and Chandigarh.
The protest saw hundreds of farmers marching from Mohali towards Chandigarh in solidarity with the Panjab University Bachao Morcha movement. When protesters reached the Mohali-Chandigarh border near Phase 6, they were intercepted by Chandigarh Police, leading to a tense face-off that eventually resulted in farmers blocking the main road and triggering the traffic gridlock.
