Uneasy calm in Ambala, day after clash between police and Sikh protesters

A day after clashes between Haryana Police and Sikh protesters in Ambala left several injured, the city remained relatively quiet on Friday, though unease persisted among some Sikh community members. The police maintained a vigilant presence, while Sikh groups denounced the use of tear gas and the lathi charge used on Thursday by authorities to reopen the Delhi-Amritsar National Highway after protesters had blocked it to demand justice for Gursimran Singh Mand, the national president of the International Anti-Khalistani Terrorist Front.

Sikh community leaders alleged that frustration had been growing due to the delay in filing a First Information Report (FIR) against Mand despite Surinder Singh, a biker and community member, suffering fractures allegedly caused by Mand's car. They also pointed out that, in contrast, the police had arrested Sikh youths and filed a case of attempted murder against them on Mand's complaint, further inflaming tensions.

The police, however, explained that the initial FIR was registered based on Surinder Singh's complaint, as he was not medically fit to provide a statement at the time. Two FIRs were filed following the protests, one against Mand and his son Bhavjot Singh for attempt to murder, causing hurt, rash driving, and criminal conspiracy.

The police described the circumstances as "suspicious" after viral videos showed Mand being assaulted, while his son was accused of rash driving. Additionally, an FIR was registered against Mand for the same charges at Panjokhra police station, alongside additional charges of voluntarily causing hurt, causing grievous hurt with dangerous weapons, and liability of members of an unlawful assembly for offenses committed in furtherance of their common object.

The escalating tension stemmed from an altercation on August 7 at the historic Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib, where Sikh youths reportedly objected to Mand taking a pedestrian-only route during a religious gathering. This led to a confrontation, during which Mand's vehicle hit Surinder Singh, who was subsequently injured and hospitalized.

Mand was later attacked by the youths and admitted to the hospital. On August 8, the police registered an FIR against community members on charges of attempt to murder based on Mand's complaint. On August 9, two community members were arrested, leading to further unrest among the Sikh community, who gheraoed Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib and demanded their release.

Two more arrests were made on August 10, followed by the arrest of two more individuals on August 11, all of whom were sent to judicial custody on Wednesday. Seeking their release and the arrest of Mand and his son, members of the Sikh community blocked the Ambala-Delhi highway, leading to a six-hour standstill before the police dispersed the protesters with a lathi charge and tear gas.

Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Amritsar, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, condemned the sudden use of force against Sikhs and called for an investigation into the circumstances that led to the action.