Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has strongly opposed the Centre’s decision to deploy 296 CISF personnel at the Bhakra Dam in Nangal. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the decision without delay.
Speaking to the media, Mann warned that the central government cannot “loot Punjab’s waters” by sending CISF or Army personnel while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is in power in the state.
He said if the CISF is deployed at the dam, the Punjab government would respond by sending its police force to the site. In that case, BBMB engineers would only be allowed to enter the dam with Punjab Police’s permission.
Mann said he would raise the issue at the Niti Aayog meeting with the Prime Minister on May 24. He also made it clear that Punjab would not pay Rs 8.58 crore for the CISF deployment, nor contribute any amount from the state’s funds.
The Chief Minister claimed that the CISF was being sent to Bhakra Dam to help Haryana take Punjab’s water. He argued that Punjab is capable of protecting the dam, just like it protects the international border.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs had informed BBMB’s Director (Security and Consultancy) about the CISF deployment through a letter dated May 19, 2025. Mann questioned whether Punjab BJP leaders such as Capt Amarinder Singh, Manpreet Singh Badal, Ravneet Singh Bittu, and Sunil Jakhar had agreed to this move.
He urged the BJP not to treat Punjab unfairly and instead support the state, which is already fighting drug smuggling along the border. Mann said he wishes to maintain good relations with the Centre, but he will not accept any injustice to Punjab.
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