Punjab-Haryana water dispute: High Court hears review petition, next hearing on May 22

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday heard a review petition filed by the Punjab government in connection with the ongoing water dispute between the two states.

The Central Government, Haryana Government, and Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) have submitted their responses, while the Punjab government has sought more time to file its reply. The court accepted the request and scheduled the next hearing for May 22.

Meanwhile, the 20-day-long protest in Nangal is set to conclude today. Sources say that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann may attend the final day of the protest.

The BBMB chairman, Manoj Tripathi, submitted an affidavit to the court detailing the events of May 8, when he visited Bhakra to release water amid the ongoing dispute.

According to the affidavit, local residents and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders blocked the water release and held BBMB officials hostage.

Following the incident, CM Bhagwant Mann visited Bhakra and declared that water would not be released until written directives from the Union Home Secretary-led meeting on May 2 were received.

BBMB later filed a petition over the incident, claiming that Punjab Police obstructed their officials from operating the dam.

The High Court has directed the Punjab government to identify the police personnel involved in the obstruction. In response, the Punjab government has initiated action in the matter.