Punjab, Hry Dig In As Water Row Intensifies

The water-sharing dispute between Punjab and Haryana escalated on Saturday as Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann refused to release additional water to the neighbouring state and officials boycotted a crucial Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) meeting.

- Gurpreet Singh Nibber and Hitender Rao

Even as Punjab officials boycotted the BBMB meeting, state police continued to control the Bhakra headworks at Nangal, prompting the board to demand their removal and restoration of dam control.

Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini responded sharply to the developments following an all-party meeting in his state, calling Punjab's actions "unconstitutional, inhuman" and an attack on the federal structure, while vowing to pursue all constitutional and legal options to protect his state's interests.

Speaking in Hoshiarpur, Mann said Punjab would not tolerate any bullying nor release excess water to other states. "The truth is that without our permission, no one can take away Punjab's water. Punjab never wanted a conflict with its neighbouring states over water issue but it has been dragged into it," he said, challenging the Centre's decision to transfer Punjab officers from the BBMB. "Do whatever you can," he added.