AAP's protest nears end at Nangal Dam amid Punjab-Haryana water row

The Punjab Government and Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) protest at the Nangal Dam against the Bhakra Beas Management Board's (BBMB) move to release extra water from Punjab's quota to Haryana entered its final day on 20 May.

- TARUNI GANDHI

Information and Public Relations Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced that the dharna, which began on May 1, will conclude tomorrow with a large rally in Nangal, to be addressed by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

The protest began when CM Mann made a sudden visit to the Nangal Dam and directed officials not to release additional water to Haryana, calling it a breach of Punjab's rightful share. The move triggered a chain of events that saw the AAP taking an aggressive stand at the dam site, accusing BBMB of acting against Punjab's interests and succumbing to political pressure from the Centre and Haryana.

Bains said the dharna marks a successful defense of Punjab's water rights and tomorrow's rally will celebrate this "victory for Punjab." During the protest, various leaders and supporters gathered at the site, with Sanjeev Gautam, chairman of Guru Ravidas Ayurvedic University, crediting CM Mann for "saving Punjab's share" and calling out the BBMB's alleged historical bias.