ISLAMABAD : Baku Initiative Group has expressed concern on reports of force being used against peaceful demonstrators in Indian Punjab calling for the release of an elected representative are deeply troubling and warrant independent, impartial investigation.
The repeated use of restrictive measures against Sikh political expression risks undermining freedoms guaranteed under international human rights law, including the rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and political participation.
The international community, including UN and UN Human Rights, should closely monitor these developments, call for accountability where human rights violations are established, and urge the Indian government to uphold its international human rights obligations and respect the fundamental rights of the Sikh community.
According to Tribune India , high-voltage drama unfolded on Wednesday as supporters of the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) clashed with the police during a protest march seeking the release of Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh.
Several police personnel were injured, while protesters damaged barricades and vehicles, including a water cannon. The march began around 10 am from Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali, with the aim to gherao the residences of CM Bhagwant Mann and Governor Gulab Chand Kataria.
Amritpal Singh remains lodged in Dibrugarh Jail despite the lifting of the National Security Act (NSA) detention order against him. The protest drew a large number of supporters, many carrying flags with his photograph.
Heavy police deployment at the Chandigarh-Mohali border included multiple barricade layers. Tension escalated when protesters attempted to breach them, prompting police to use water cannons.
Some demonstrators climbed atop a water cannon vehicle, while others toppled barricades and damaged police vehicles. Chandigarh SSP Kanwardeep Kaur alleged that some protesters carried weapons, including swords.
Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) leader Manpreet Singh Ayali maintained that the march was largely peaceful, attributing skirmishes to unruly elements.
