Sikhs Block Highway Demanding Case Against Mand, Release of Arrested Youth

August

2026

Police in Haryana on 13 Aug resorted to tear gas and baton charge to restore traffic on Delhi-Amritsar National Highway. Sikh protesters had blocked the road in Ambala, Haryana demanding action against national president of the International Anti-Khalistani Terrorist Front Gursimran Singh Mand. Nearly half a dozen policemen and several protesters sustained injuries in the clashes. The Sikh demand and blockade of the highway were related to incidents on 7 Aug, which was the eighth sovereign Guru Harkishan’s birth anniversary and a large number of people had gathered at Gurdwara Panjokra Sahib. Mand had demanded special entry to the Gurdwara. When denied, he drove through the crowd crushing a motorcyclist—27-year-old Surinder Singh whose spine was fractured—and injuring others. Mand also used derogatory words despite his security officers asking him to desist. After which Sikh youth beat him up. Instead of filing a First Information Report (FIR) against Mand, police had arrested Sikh youth Harvinder Singh and Anmol Singh for beating Mand. On 13 Aug, the Sikhs had given a call to gather at Gurdwara Panjokra Sahib to decide the next course of action. As the Sikhs approached the Gurdwara, police started caning and tear gassing protesters near NCC Senior Secondary School, risking the students and staff. After discussion at the Gurdwara, Sikhs decided to block the highway to force the police to register a case against Mand, and release Harvinder and Anmol. Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) president Jagdish Singh Jhinda, who was also injured in the clashes, said the Chief Minister's office was also in talks with the HSGMC and had largely agreed to the demands. The police filed an FIR against Mand and his son Bhavjot Singh after which Ambala Superintendent of Police (SP) Ajit Singh Shekhawat appealed to protesters to lift the blockade. The protesters again insisted on the release of the Sikh youth leading to further police attacks and clashes. The blockade was finally lifted after six hours. On 18 Aug, the Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini met the Sikhs and promised to cancel the FIRs against the youth and the protesters, and release the protesters by 23 Aug. Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Eternal Throne) Jathedar (leader) Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Harjinder Singh Dhami have condemned the Haryana police action (earlier coverage).