Protesters seeking release of Sikh prisoners clash with police in Chandigarh

Mohali, Feb 8 (PTI) Around 30 cops were injured and several vehicles damaged as protesters seeking the release of Sikh prisoners countrywide clashed with them while trying to reach Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's official residence in neighbouring Chandigarh on Wednesday, officials said.

Police had put up barricades near the Chandigarh-Mohali border to prevent the protesters from moving towards Mann's residence. When the protesters tried to force their way through the barricades, the Chandigarh Police used a water cannon to disperse them.

The protesters under the banner of the 'Qaumi Insaaf Morcha' then attacked the police personnel and damaged a water cannon vehicle, a "vajra" (riot control vehicle), two police jeeps, a fire-fighting vehicle and some other vehicles with swords and sticks, the officials said.