CBRN event in India on Sat 15th August 2026

A resident of Mohali, Amit Singh, said tear gas shells were thrown towards the Mohali side. “Tear gas shells by Chandigarh Police officials were thrown towards Mohali, and I could see them landing at YPS Chowk,” he said. Amid heightened security, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann was reportedly detained by Chandigarh Police while attempting to reach Punjab Raj Bhavan. Mann was seen with bandages on his head. Police sources said he had reached a residence near Raj Bhavan a day earlier and stayed there overnight. He was later detained after security personnel became suspicious of his movements near a barricade. The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha has been pressing for the release of Bandi Singhs and other Sikh prisoners, including those it says have remained incarcerated for prolonged periods since the 1980s and 1990s. Ahead of Saturday’s protest, Hawara, who is lodged in prison, released a video message on Friday, appealing to those participating in the march to ensure that no untoward incident takes place. Roads closed, traffic advisory issued According to the police, major entry and transit points along the Chandigarh-Mohali border were barricaded. These included Sarovar Path (Mohali Barrier/Gaushala Chowk), Sector 51/52 light points, the Sector 56 furniture market area, Kajheri border, YPS Chowk and roads near Phases 10 and 11 of Mohali. Rishi Sharma, who was travelling to Chandigarh from Zirakpur, said it took him around 45 minutes to cross the border. “I was stuck in the traffic jam,” he said. Chandigarh Traffic Police issued an advisory saying several stretches had been temporarily closed and traffic diverted in view of the law-and-order situation. The affected stretches included the road from Max Hospital towards Giri Mandi Chowk; Mohali to Sector 39/40-55/56 Chowk (Paschim Marg); the road from the light point near Franco Hotel towards Sector 40/41 Chowk (Vidya Path); Madanpur Chowk towards Furniture Market Chowk (Udyan Path); YPS Chowk towards Fountain Chowk; Mattaur Barrier towards Sector 51/52 Light Point; Sector 50/51 small chowk to the UT boundary behind Burail Jail; and Sector 47/48 light point to Kalibari Mandir. Act with due sensitivity: What high court said The developments came a day after the Punjab and Haryana High Court, hearing a matter related to the proposed protest, said citizens have a fundamental right to assemble and express their views through peaceful protest. The court, however, observed that where a protest ceases to be peaceful, turns violent or poses a threat to public safety, authorities are duty-bound to take appropriate preventive and remedial measures in accordance with law. “We hope and trust that the states of Punjab and Haryana, as well as the Union Territory of Chandigarh, shall act with due sensitivity and responsibility and ensure that no untoward incident is permitted to occur,” the bench said. The matter has been listed for August 20.