India: Unionized government workers in Haryana State to demonstrate in Chandigarh on Feb. 26

Event

Unionized government workers in Haryana State plan to protest at the Chief Minister's residence in Chandigarh on Feb. 26 to demand the restoration of the old pension scheme. Organizers have yet to publicize the event's start time. This is a follow-up action to a protest that took place in Hisar in January. Participation is unclear, but thousands of people participated in a similar protest in Panchkula on Feb. 19; police used tear gas to disperse the protesters.

Authorities will almost certainly deploy additional security in and around the planned protest site. Increased security and large numbers of people could lead to localized disruptions. Police may forcibly disperse crowds, including with baton charges, tear gas, and water cannon. While bystanders are unlikely to be targeted in any violence, they would face a significant physical threat in the vicinity, including from stampeding crowds.

Advice

Avoid all protests as a security precaution. Plan routes circumventing the demonstration site and allow additional time for travel. Heed all official traffic and security advisories. If violence occurs nearby, immediately depart the area.