Chandigarh, May 2 -- Escalating tensions between Punjab and Haryana over water sharing snowballed into a major inter-state dispute on Thursday after chief minister Bhagwant Mann ordered the police to guard Nangal dam to prevent water from being released to Haryana and said he will not tolerate any "robbery" of Punjab's rights. The controversy began on April 28 when Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini demanded an additional 8,500 cusecs of water from the Bhakra dam - one of India's oldest dams over the Sutlej river - for potable water and irrigation needs, drawing a sharp response from Mann. But a decision of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) - a body controlled by the Union jal shakti ministry which regulates water distribution from the Bhakra, Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams - on Wednesday evening to release water to Haryana sparked the latest face-off. According to officials aware of the matter, water was released from the Bhakra dam at 12:30 early morning, but was stopped at Nangal dam downstream by Punjab authorities at 3:30 pm, Punjab cabinet minister Aman Arora said in media conference. The Nangal dam is 13 km downstream from Bhakra and is controlled by BBMB. Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan are the partnering states that meet their requirement from the Bhakra and Pong dams. Mann on Thursday visited the Nangal dam in Rupnagar district where state minister Harjot Singh Bains held a 'dharna' along with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers. Bains said they have taken "control" over the Nangal dam, and the room from where the water supply is regulated has been locked, and its key given to police. Punjab Police also beefed up security at the Nangal dam, which is situated downstream of Bhakra dam, in Rupnagar district as part of security review arrangements. The chief minister also called an all-party meeting at 10am on Friday and a special session of the assembly on May 5. Mann said his government will not allow the release of any more water to the neighbouring state, claiming it has already utilised its share. "How can BBMB dictate terms to Punjab like this? What kind of rule is this? Punjab holds 60% of the share in BBMB, and Punjab is the one that makes the final decision. Rajasthan, Delhi, and Haryana express their wishes first, and then Punjab makes the decision," the Punjab CM said. Referring to the BBMB meeting, Mann accused the two BJP-ruled states -- Haryana and Rajasthan -- of indulging in "gundagardi" (thuggery) and "tanashahi" (dictatorship). "How could they bypass Punjab and take away water? We did not sign off," Mann said. He also said water levels at Bhakra, Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams were lower than what they were in the corresponding period of the previous year. During the BBMB meeting, Punjab government officials strongly objected to the release of more water to Haryana, saying that the neighbouring state has already utilised its share of water. These objections, however, were overruled by the board that ordered the release of water to Haryana. Mann said Punjab needed water for the upcoming paddy sowing season. "Not even a single drop of water will be given. We do not have water. Do not expect water from us," he added. "We are already giving more water on humanitarian grounds. As per their (Haryana) population, they need 1,700 cusecs of water, and we are giving 4,700 cusecs for drinking purposes," he added. Asked how the deadlock will end, Mann said, "We do not have any enmity with Haryana people, but the BJP government is playing politics"....