Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia strongly criticized the government after several farmers were arrested during the ongoing protest at the Shambhu Border in Punjab.
“The government was just pretending to talk to farmers. Arresting them after discussions shows that they are not serious about solving the farmers’ problems. This is a betrayal,” said Punia.
He also urged people to stand with the farmers against what he called an oppressive act by both the Central and Punjab governments.
Protests and Police Action
A tense situation unfolded at the Shambhu Border, where farmers were protesting for their demands. During the police crackdown, several farmer leaders, including Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal, were detained.
Taking to social media platform X, Punia condemned the government’s actions:
“This cowardly act of the government has made it clear that the government was just pretending in the name of talks with the farmers. Calling farmer leaders on the pretext of talks and arresting them is not bravery. When many farmer leaders, including Sarwan Singh Pandher and Dallewal, met the government with their demands, there was hope that some solution would emerge. But the government took them into custody after the talks. If this is not a betrayal of the farmers, then what is it?”
He further stated:
“If the government was serious about listening to the voice of the farmers, it would have found a solution to their problems instead of trying to suppress them. This oppressive attitude shows that the government is only pretending in the name of talks while the real aim of the government is to crush the farmers’ movement.”
Punia urged the people to support the farmers and oppose the actions of the Central and Punjab governments.
Police Remove Protesters & Barricades
Following the crackdown, Punjab Police and Haryana Police took strict measures to clear the protest site at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border.
🚜 Haryana Police used bulldozers to remove concrete barricades, restricting farmers’ movements.
🚔 Punjab Police removed protesters and temporary structures at the site.
Patiala SSP Nanak Singh stated that the road would be fully reopened for traffic:
“Farmers had been protesting at the Shambhu Border for a long time. Today, in the presence of Duty Magistrates, Police cleared the area after they were given proper warning. A few people showed a willingness to go home. So, they were sent home on a bus. The entire road will be cleared and opened for traffic.”
He also emphasized that there was no need for police force, as the farmers cooperated.
Despite the police intervention, tensions remain high, with growing concerns over the suppression of farmers’ protests.