Police personnel use water cannons on farmers trying to break through police barricades during a protest march towards the Punjab Governor house, in Chandigarh on May 15, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Several farmers staged a protest on Friday (May 15, 2026) in Mohali, Punjab, against the BJP-led government at the Centre. They were demanding a resolution to the river water dispute, as well as their long-pending demands, including a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops. The police resorted to the use of tear gas and water cannons to disperse the agitating farmers.
Farmers from Punjab, who had assembled under the banner of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), shouted slogans against the Centre, accusing it of failing to address their concerns. They were stopped by the Chandigarh Police at the Mohali (Punjab)-Chandigarh (Union Territory) boundary, and as they began their march to the Punjab Lok Bhawan (Governor’s House) in Chandigarh, the police used tear gas and water cannons.
Farmers alleged the Central Government is encroaching on Punjab’s water through amendments to the Bhakra Beas Management Board rules, the Dam Safety Act, the Water Amendment Act 2024 and the Punjab Reorganisation Act.
Farmer leader Prem Singh Bhangu said the issue of river waters should be resolved according to the riparian-basin principle.
“Sections 78, 79, and 80 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act 1966 should be scrapped. The Centre should provide a special financial package to Punjab for the reconstruction and de-silting of the canal system. For crop diversification, legal guarantees should be given on the MSP of all crops, fruits, vegetables and basmati with the C2+50% formula. Purchase below MSP should be declared a punishable offence,” he said.
“In protest against today’s repression of farmers, we will burn effigies of the BJP leaders and the Governor across Punjab on May 16,” he added.
Published – May 16, 2026 05:53 am IST
