Chandigarh (Haryana) [India]: Security has been heightened at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border after Haryana Police on Thursday morning removed concrete barricades that had been set up to restrict farmers’ movement. The police used bulldozers to clear the concrete obstacles.
On Wednesday, Punjab Police had removed protesting farmers from the site late in the evening. The farmers had been protesting over various demands.
Following the Punjab Police’s action, Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nanak Singh stated that the road would be fully cleared and 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. In addition, the structures and vehicles here are being moved. The entire road will be cleared and opened for traffic,” SSP Singh told media.
He further noted that no force was needed as farmers cooperated with authorities. “Haryana Police will also begin their action. Once it opens from their side, the movement on the highway will resume,” Singh added.
In addition to barricades, police also dismantled temporary structures erected by the farmers at the protest site.
Several prominent farmer leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal — who is on an indefinite fast — and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarvan Singh Pandher were detained by police.
Reacting to the developments, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait condemned the Punjab government’s actions.
“In the ongoing agitation on the border of Punjab, on one hand the government is negotiating with the farmer organizations and on the other hand it is arresting them. We strongly condemn the action of the Punjab government and all the farmer organizations are ready for every struggle,” Tikait posted on X.
Former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi accused the government of conspiring against farmers.
“Not just Punjab but the entire farming community is facing a big attack today. A meeting was held today (in Chandigarh) in which it was decided that the next round of talks would be held on May 4 but they (farmers) were attacked from behind and deceived. The road has been blocked by the government, not by the farmers. They (farmers) want to come to Delhi,” Channi said.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Fatehjung Singh Bajwa expressed support for the farmers while criticizing the Punjab government.
“The central government has sent its team of ministers to hold talks with the farmers but the businessmen of Ludhiana West said that they wouldn’t vote for them (AAP) as all the roads are closed. To ensure the Rajya Sabha seat for Arvind Kejriwal and win the Ludhiana West by-election, they have detained Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarvan Singh Pandher. BJP is with the farmers of Punjab but Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal played with farmers,” Bajwa said.
Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema defended the government’s actions, stating that the goal was to reopen the Shambhu and Khanauri borders to ease public inconvenience.
“The AAP government and the people of Punjab stood with the farmers when they protested against the three black laws. The demands of the farmers are against the central government. It has been more than a year and the Shambhu and Khanauri borders are closed. The traders, youth of Punjab are very upset. When the traders will do business, the youth will get employment and they will stay away from drugs,” Cheema said.
“Today’s action has been taken because we want the youth of Punjab to get employment. We want to open Shambhu and Khanauri borders. The demands of the farmers are against the central government and they should stage a protest in Delhi or somewhere else but should not block the roads of Punjab,” he added.