25 arrested as Sangrur clash during Bhawanigarh highway blockade; over 180 booked

The article reporting the events notes that 25 people were arrested, outlines the FIR and charges, and includes statements from SSP Sartaj Chahal and DSP Rahul Kaushal.

Cabinet minister Aman Arora described the incident as unfortunate and stated that action would be taken against anyone who took the law into their hands.

Sangrur MLA Narinder Kaur Bharaj met Lovely Kakra’s family and condemned police action as oppressive. She argued the administration should engage in negotiation rather than force, noting the police did not negotiate with protesters.

Sangrur SSP Sartaj Singh Chahal said raids were being conducted to arrest others involved and that those who hurled stones would not be spared. DSP Rahul Kaushal confirmed arrests and stated additional action would follow.

An FIR was registered naming 30 individuals and 150 unidentified accused. Police arrested at least 25 people. Charges listed included sections from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (e.g., attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, rioting, unlawful assembly), the National Highways Act, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

During a highway blockade on the Bathinda-Chandigarh national highway, protesters used trucks to block traffic and hurled stones at police. The mob vandalised several official vehicles, including a Sunam city police vehicle and an anti-riot team bus; three cops were reported injured.

Supporters of Lovely Kakra gathered at the Bhawanigarh bus stand to oppose Malwinder Singh Mala's election as Bhawanigarh truck union president, amid a local rift within the AAP. Kakra alleged that party leaders arranged a meeting at the DSP's office to detain his camp so Mala could be appointed; Mala denied the claim.