Amid mounting water-sharing row, Punjab steps up security at Nangal dam; says may approach court against BBMB order

While the release of water is yet to start, sources in the government said Punjab has stepped up security at the regulator end of Nangal dam, anticipating a law and order situation. “Tempers are flaring up in Punjab, which is already grappling with a shortage of water. With BBMB ordering the release of 8,500 cusecs, there could be a law and order situation. We want to prevent that. This is why the security has been stepped up,” a government official said.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Thursday “strongly opposed” the move. “Punjab strongly opposes the decision to provide water to Haryana through BBMB, which is the right of Punjab and Punjabis. The BJP government of the Centre and Haryana has united against Punjab. We will not tolerate another robbery of our rights by BJP at any cost. BJP should be ready to face the opposition. BJP can never be a friend of Punjab and Punjabis,” he wrote on X.

On Tuesday, Bhagwant Mann refused to release more water to Haryana, and pointed out that the neighbouring state has already utilised 103 per cent of its allocated share for this season. The AAP leader also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of exerting pressure on the Punjab government through BBMB to meet Haryana’s demand.

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Officials also said Punjab may approach a court against the BBMB order, and that the government is taking a legal opinion to proceed further. “This is an unprecedented move by BBMB. We can challenge it in the High Court,” said an official.

Maninderjit Singh Bedi, Advocate General, Punjab, Krishan Kumar, Secretary (Water Resource), Gaurav Yadav, Director General of Police, were huddled up to work out a solution till the filing of this report.

Meanwhile, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has given a call for dharnas across the state against the BJP-led Centre for giving water to Haryana through BBMB.

The decision was announced by BBMB after a vote was conducted, and two BJP-ruled states, Haryana and Rajasthan, voted for additional water.

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After the meeting that went on until late Wednesday, BBMB transferred Akashdeep Singh, Director (Water Regulation) of Bhakra Dam, to implement the decision taken to release additional water to Haryana. Sanjeev Kumar, an engineer from Haryana, was appointed in his place. In the meeting, Akashdeep Singh refused to release additional water to Haryana without Punjab’s consent.

Sanjeev Kumar was earlier posted as Director (Dam Safety), now Akashdeep Singh has been appointed in his place.

Punjab had earlier opposed the claim by Haryana for more water. It had stated that in the current account year, BBMB had fixed a share of 5.512 Million Acre Foot for Punjab, 2.987 MAF for Haryana, and 3.318 MAF for Rajasthan. As per the data provided by BBMB, Haryana has already withdrawn water of 3.110 MAF, and has already exhausted its share at 104 per cent.