Chandigarh: Tension prevailed in Chandigarh’s Sector 11 on Wednesday as activists of the Student Organisation of India (SOI) staged a protest outside Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence.
Led by SOI president Rana Ranbir, the protesters raised slogans against the Chief Minister. A scuffle broke out between the protesters and the police during the demonstration. Chandigarh Police later detained Rana Ranbir along with several other workers and took them to a police station.
The protest comes days after the Chief Minister, during a public address, referred to SOI as “Smack Organisation of India,” triggering strong reactions from the group. In view of the protest, Chandigarh Police remained on high alert, deploying barricades and water cannons to prevent the protesters from moving forward.
Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal is set to hold a key meeting in Chandigarh under the leadership of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal. Constituency in-charges from across Punjab are expected to attend.
Senior party leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said the meeting, scheduled for April 8 at 2 pm at the party headquarters, will focus on the damage caused by recent heavy rains and hailstorms across several districts. The party is also expected to chalk out a concrete plan to provide immediate relief to affected farmers and address the prevailing situation in the state.
