The water was scheduled to be released from Bhakra Dam on Thursday morning. However, late on Wednesday night, the BBMB transferred Akashdeep Singh, Director (Water Regulation) from Punjab, replacing him with Sanjeev Kumar from Haryana. The move was seen as an attempt to facilitate the release of excess water.

But when the newly appointed Director ordered the opening of the dam gates, lower-level officials from Punjab reportedly refused to comply. According to sources, the Axion and SDO—both representing Punjab—ignored the instructions, effectively stalling the water release.

Amid the standoff, Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains began a dharna at Nangal Dam, protesting against the BBMB’s decision. “Punjab’s waters are the lifeline of our people — not a single drop will be allowed to go to Haryana illegally. This is a fight for Punjab’s rights, and we will protect every ounce of it,” Bains said.

CM Mann accused the BJP governments in Haryana and Rajasthan of using BBMB to push through an “illegal” decision.

“The BJP government in Haryana-Rajasthan, while issuing a dictatorial decree in the BBMB meeting, agreed to loot Punjab’s water. But 60% representation in BBMB is from Punjab and we will not allow their hooliganism to continue. We will not allow even a drop of water to go anywhere,” Mann said.

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The decision was taken during a five-hour-long meeting of the BBMB’s technical committee held on Wednesday evening.

Sources said officials from the Punjab government strongly objected to the move during the meeting, arguing that Haryana had already utilised its allocated share of water.

Reacting to the development, Mann said, “The whole of Punjab strongly opposes the decision of the BBMB to give water to Haryana, which is the right of Punjab and Punjabis.”

He blamed the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Haryana for what he called an unjustified decision.

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