Punjab Congress is holding a protest in Chandigarh on Tuesday demanding the dismissal and arrest of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. Security has been tightened in the city ahead of a proposed march led by Sachin Pilot.
Punjab Congress's new in-charge Sachin Pilot is leading the protest against the state government in Chandigarh on Tuesday. More than 5,000 police personnel have been deployed in view of the proposed march from the Punjab Congress Bhawan in Sector 15 to Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema's residence. Traffic in Sector 15 and surrounding areas is also being affected by the protest.
Sachin Pilot is arriving in Punjab for the first time as the state's new Congress in-charge on Tuesday. The party has prepared for a major protest against the state government alongside his arrival, with Congress leaders and workers from across Punjab reaching Chandigarh.
The proposed march is scheduled to proceed from the Punjab Congress Bhawan in Sector 15 towards Harpal Singh Cheema's residence. Congress is demanding Cheema's dismissal from the Cabinet, his arrest and an independent investigation into the Gulzar Singh case.
The protest is being held as part of the party's political campaign against the government. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Partap Singh Bajwa, among other senior leaders, are expected to participate.
Security has been tightened across Chandigarh in view of the protest. Police have deployed four to five levels of security at the protest site and along the possible route of the march. A large number of police personnel have been stationed about one kilometre before the Punjab Congress Bhawan.
Apart from the Chandigarh Police, contingents of paramilitary forces have also been deployed. Water cannons and other arrangements have been made to deal with any untoward situation.
The administration has made special arrangements to maintain law and order during the protest. The arrival of a large number of workers has also begun affecting traffic in Sector 15 and nearby areas.
Congress had earlier held a protest against the Punjab government in Chandigarh on September 8. During that protest, more than 150 Congress leaders and workers, including state Congress president Raja Warring, were detained.
Tuesday's protest is also taking place in the presence of new Punjab Congress in-charge Sachin Pilot, with several prominent party leaders expected to appear together.
The Congress protest is also being linked to preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections. The party is seeking to intensify its campaign against the government over various issues.
The protest led by Sachin Pilot is also being viewed as an occasion for the Punjab Congress to demonstrate its unity and organisational strength, with a large number of leaders and workers from different parts of the state expected to participate.
During the protest, Congress will prominently raise its demands for action against Harpal Singh Cheema, his arrest and an independent investigation into the Gulzar Singh case. Police and the administration are monitoring the proposed march amid the heightened security arrangements.
