Many protesters, not advisable to remove barricades, HC told

Chandigarh: Responding to the issues related to dharna on Mohali-Chandigarh border by Quami Insaaf Morcha, the Chandigarh Police have informed the Punjab and Haryana high court that many protesters are present on the site and it is not advisable to remove the barricades.
“Many protesters, particularly Nihangs, are present at the site. They are armed with swords and other traditional weapons along with horses.Considering the ground situation, for the present, it is not advisable that the barricades be removed since that may allow the protesters a free run into the city, which could possibly lead to disastrous consequences,” the police told the HC.
The reply filed by Mridul, SP (city) on behalf of the UT administration, further stated that senior functionaries of the UT and police have been and are coordinating with the Punjab government and Mohali police and are in constant negotiations with the protesters.
It was further stated that one DSP, three inspectors and 241 other police personnel of the Chandigarh Police are on duty, having been positioned round the clock, for maintaining complete law and order at the Mataur barrier where the protesters are congregated. It is being ensured that no untoward incident takes place and that the safety and security of general public and that of important state functionaries is not jeopardised in any manner, the court was informed.
The HC has also been informed that there are more than 12 entry/exit points on the southern boundary between Mohali and Chandigarh. Except the road dividing Sector 51-52, where, as a preventive/precautionary measure, barricades have been installed to curb any forceful entry by the protesters, on all other entry/exit points, there is free flow of traffic by the commuting public without any hindrance and no inconvenience is being caused to them.
The matter is pending before the HC in the wake of a petition filed by NGO ArriveSafe through road safety activist Harman Singh Sidhu seeking directions to lift the dharna.