Gaurav Kanthwal
Mohali, February 13
Punjab Police on Monday deployed seven armoured tractors on Mohali-Chandigarh border to tackle Bandi Singh release activists on the dividing roads of Sectors 51-52 and Sectors 52-53.
Two bullet-proof tractors have been stationed on the dividing road of Sectors 51-52 while five at the Sectors 52-53 border.
Police said the need to deploy improvised armoured vehicles was felt after the violence on February 8 when protesters used tractors and horses to intimidate the police personnel.
Cops said the improvised bullet-proof tractors, with red beacons atop, had been brought from the international border area districts of the Punjab where they were deployed to counter the terrorist activities.
“The improvised vehicles were requisitioned after the Dinanagar terrorist incident when terrorists fled into the swampy areas and fields to take cover,” said a Punjab Police official.
DSP City-1 Harinder Singh Mann said, “During the violence on February 8, the protesters used tractors and horses to injure police personnel. The armoured vehicles are specially designed to handle such situations.”
Punjab Police officials said each border area district police is equipped with five such vehicles.
Armoured tractors releasing dark plumes of smoke and then quietly dozing off in one corner made the day for onlookers at the protest site on the road separating Sector 52 and 53 today.
In all, seven armoured tractors have been stationed by the Punjab Police on the roads separating Sector 51 and 52 (two), and Sector 52 & 53 (five) to tackle the protesters seeking the release of Bandi Singhs.
Police officials said the need to deploy these improvised armoured vehicles was felt after violence on February 8 when the protesters used tractors and horses to intimidate the police personnel. These bullet proof tractors, with red beacons, have been brought from the international border areas of Punjab where they were deployed to counter terrorist activities, said the police officials.
The DSP (City 1), Harinder Singh Mann, said, “During violence on February 8, the protesters used tractors and horses to harm police personnel. The armoured vehicles are specially designed to handle such situations.” Anti-riot drills are being undertaken, across the state to keep police personnel in shape. The mounted police carried out a drill at the spot on how to counter the charge from armed horsemen. Meanwhile, 31 representatives of the protesters staged a peaceful two-hour sit-in on the Sector 52-53 road. — TNS
Brought from border areas
These bullet-proof tractors have been brought from the international border areas of Punjab where these were deployed to counter terrorist activities, said police officials.