Ludhiana, Dec. 3: Protests against the persistent pollution in Ludhiana’s Buddha Nullah intensified Tuesday, leading to clashes between demonstrators and police. The unrest erupted as police detained several protest leaders and supporters heading toward the city, with baton charges escalating tensions.
During the confrontation, CIA-3 in-charge Navdeep sustained a head injury, while over 150 demonstrators were taken into custody. Among those detained were prominent figures, including Lakha Sidhana, who had recently called for mass mobilization to shut down the polluted stream. Others held include Titu Baniya from Ludhiana, Roman Barad from Ferozepur, and Mohinder Singh from Moga. Police also detained Sidhana’s close aide, Sukh Jagraon, from Jagraon.
In response, protesters blocked the Ludhiana-Ferozepur highway, causing significant disruptions. Police deployed mobile network jammers in key protest areas to limit coordination among demonstrators. Ludhiana Police Commissioner Kuldeep Chahal visited the site to oversee the situation.
The protests, organized under the banner of ‘Kala Pani Da Morcha,’ drew nearly 1,500 participants, including activists from Rajasthan. The group criticized the industrial discharge contaminating Buddha Nullah, which flows into the Sutlej River and eventually reaches Rajasthan. “The polluted water has caused widespread illness in Rajasthan,” a protestor claimed, citing chemical-laden water as a public health crisis.
Anticipating unrest, Ludhiana police stationed over 2,000 personnel at city borders and sensitive areas to maintain order. Security was heightened at Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) and industrial units suspected of contributing to pollution.
“We will not allow anyone to disturb the city’s peace,” said DCP Jaskaran Singh Teja, vowing strict action against unlawful activities.
Buddha Nullah, long criticized for its industrial waste and untreated sewage, remains a focal point for environmental advocacy and public outrage, with protesters demanding urgent measures to address its impact on water safety and public health.