SYL canal issue: Abhay Chautala, 19 INLD MLAs arrested by Punjab police for violating prohibitory orders

Senior Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Chautala and 19 INLD MLAs, besides other party leaders, were arrested today by the Punjab Police for violating Section 144 as they tried to cross the Shambhu border.

Chautala and his party workers had announced a march to a location on the Haryana border close to Kapoor village in Punjab, where the foundation stone of the controversial Sutlej -Yamuna Link (SYL) canal was laid down in 1982 by the then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Chautala had said they would re-dig the canal.

"We respect the law and do not want any confrontation with the police .The protest was successful," Abhay Chautala said.

Interestingly, nearly a thousand Haryana Police officials deployed at Shambhu toll plaza didn't stop Chautala and his supporters.

The police remained silent spectators when the tractors in which Chautala and his supporters were travelling moved towards the barrier.

However, on the other side of the border, the Punjab police first warned the protesters using a loudspeaker. They then arrested Chautala, party MLAs, and other leaders.

DRAMA MEANT TO RECLAIM LOST POLITICAL GROUND

The barricading and deployment of personnel done by the Haryana police near Shambhu toll plaza proved to be a futile exercise, as Chautala and thousands of his supporters openly ignored the prohibitory warning. The INLD managed to stage a high-voltage drama by inviting party workers, including women carrying spades.

The entire exercise was done to reclaim lost political ground, as the INLD has been rejected by the state voters for a record third time.

INLD TRYING TO VITIATE THE ATMOSPHERE IN HARYANA: BJP

Reacting to the INLD's political drama, Senior Haryana BJP leader and state Health Minister Anil Vij said the party was trying to vitiate the atmosphere of the State by making a mockery of serious issues.

"INLD and other parties were not competent to take a decision in such sensitive matters after the Supreme Court delivered its verdict in favour of Haryana, therefore they were indulging in such petty acts. I would have felicitated the INLD had they been successful in getting the water through such acts," Anil Vij said.

WATCH VIDEO: SYL canal row: 3,000 INLD workers reach Shambhu border

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