Clash at Mohali-Chandigarh Border

Punjab government employees marching toward Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence clashed with Chandigarh police at the Mohali-Chandigarh border on Sunday, according to protesters and a local police officer. Protesters said police used water cannons during the confrontation, leaving nine employees injured, including a woman. Three of the injured were admitted to the civil hospital in Phase 6, the Old Pay Scale, Old Pension and Allowances Restoration Front said. Mohali City-2 DSP Harsimran Singh Bal said police had made arrangements to maintain law and order and had asked marchers to remain peaceful. ### Who were the protesters and what were they demanding? The Old Pay Scale, Old Pension and Allowances Restoration Front held a rally near Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Phase 8 before the march, according to Hindustan Times. The group said it was pressing for restoration of old pay scales, revival of the old pension scheme and regularisation of contractual staff. (hindustantimes.com) The Front also said its demands included release of 18% dearness allowance, reinstatement of rural and border area allowances and withdrawal of termination notices issued to teachers under various recruitment categories. Protesters said they also opposed the implementation of central-pattern pay scales for employees recruited after July 17, 2020. (hindustantimes.com) ### Where did the clash begin? Phase 8 in Mohali was the starting point for the march toward Mann’s residence on Sunday, the report said. Protesters moved from the rally site toward the Mohali-Chandigarh border, where Chandigarh police personnel tried to stop them from proceeding further. The Mohali-Chandigarh border has repeatedly been used as a control point during demonstrations aimed at Chandigarh or official residences in the area, according to recent local reporting on similar protests. (hindustantimes.com) In this case, the confrontation broke out as employees attempted to continue their march after being stopped. ### What do both sides say happened at the border? (hindustantimes.com) Nine employees were injured after Chandigarh police allegedly used water cannons, the protesters said. The Front said three of those injured were taken to the civil hospital in Phase 6 for treatment. DSP Harsimran Singh Bal said police personnel tried to stop the marchers and urged them to stay peaceful. (hindustantimes.com) He declined to comment further on the confrontation, according to the report. The available report does not include a detailed response from Chandigarh Police to the allegation that officers used excessive force. The account of the injuries and the use of water cannons in this case was attributed to the protesters. (hindustantimes.com) ### Why did the protesters reject an offer of talks? The administration offered a meeting with the joint principal secretary to the chief minister during the protest, Hindustan Times reported. (hindustantimes.com) The protesters rejected that proposal and continued to press for a direct response to their demands. Vikram Dev Singh, Gurdeep Singh Bassi and Shalinder Kamboj, identified as front conveners, told the gathering that the agitation would be intensified if the government ignored the employees’ demands. (hindustantimes.com) Their comments framed the clash as part of a wider standoff over pay, pensions and employment terms. ### What happens next? The demonstration ended at 6 p.m. on Sunday, according to the report. (hindustantimes.com) The Front said it would unveil the next phase of its protest soon, but no date had been announced in the published account. Any next step is likely to involve the same participants named at Sunday’s rally — the Old Pay Scale, Old Pension and Allowances Restoration Front, Punjab government employees and state officials linked to the chief minister’s office. (hindustantimes.com) As of the published report on June 1, the immediate public marker was the Front’s pending announcement of its next protest phase.