Centre Approves Deployment of 296 CISF Personnel at Nangal Dam Amid Punjab–Haryana Tensions
Amid rising tensions between Punjab and Haryana over water distribution, the Central Government on Wednesday (May 21) approved the deployment of 296 armed Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel to provide security at the Nangal Dam in Punjab. The move coincides with ongoing political protests led by Punjab’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), demanding fair water distribution.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed protesters at Nangal Dam the same day, declaring a political victory (“Fateh”) over the issue of water release to Haryana.
Why has the Centre sanctioned CISF deployment at Nangal Dam?
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has authorised the deployment of 296 CISF personnel to ensure security at the strategically significant Bhakra Dam Project in Nangal, Punjab. The move follows recent confrontations involving the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), including an incident where BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi was briefly detained by protestors in Nangal.
In an official communication to the BBMB, the MHA stated that logistics—including boarding and lodging—must be provided by the board. Additionally, BBMB has been instructed to transfer ₹8,58,69,600 to CISF headquarters as a security deposit for this deployment. Punjab, as a partner state in BBMB, will bear a portion of these costs.
What prompted the recent protests at Nangal Dam?
For 20 days, activists and supporters of AAP staged a protest (‘dharna’) at the Nangal Dam downstream from Bhakra Dam, opposing the alleged release of excess water to Haryana. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann joined the protestors on Wednesday, marking the end of the sit-in with a Fateh rally.
Addressing supporters, Mann accused Haryana of overusing water and criticised BBMB officials for attempting to divert Punjab’s allocated water resources unfairly.
What is Punjab demanding regarding water distribution?
Bhagwant Mann declared his intention to raise the issue of restructuring BBMB during the upcoming Niti Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (May 24). Mann, who has previously skipped such meetings, stated he would emphasise the need for periodic reviews of water-sharing agreements every 25 years due to fluctuating water availability.
He argued that Punjab, being a border and landlocked state, has already stretched its resources significantly to serve national food security.
Has Haryana exceeded its water allocation?
According to Mann, Haryana was allocated 15.06 lakh cusecs of water in the previous cycle but utilised 16.48 lakh cusecs, surpassing its assigned quota. Mann accused Haryana of irresponsible water management and warned officials against expecting additional water from Punjab.
Why is Punjab accusing the BBMB of bias?
Mann sharply criticised BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi, alleging he acted as a “puppet” of Haryana and the Centre, and had personally attempted to divert water meant for Punjab. He further accused BBMB of deliberately keeping vacant 3,000 positions reserved for Punjab to weaken the state’s stake in water resources.
He also highlighted financial grievances, claiming BBMB owed Punjab nearly ₹150 crore for previous investments, which the state would seek to recover.
What is Punjab’s stance on the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal controversy?
Criticising previous Punjab governments led by the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mann accused them of betraying Punjab’s interests. He recalled controversial incidents, including a former Punjab Chief Minister symbolically supporting the SYL canal project, thereby compromising Punjab’s water rights.
He pointed out the inequity, arguing Haryana receives disproportionately higher water allocations despite being geographically smaller.
What’s next for Punjab regarding the BBMB issue?
Chief Minister Mann intends to push for the restructuring of BBMB, labelling the board as a “white elephant” incapable of effectively safeguarding Punjab’s interests in its current form. He also pledged continued resistance to attempts at unfair water diversion.
During the event, Punjab Cabinet Ministers Harjot Singh Bains and Barinder Goyal joined Mann, expressing support for the Chief Minister’s stance and acknowledging the public’s participation in the protests.
