Security has been reinforced at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border following the removal of barricades restricting farmers' movement, as authorities took steps to ease traffic disruptions amid ongoing demonstrations.
The Haryana Police on Thursday deployed bulldozers to dismantle the concrete barriers, which had been erected to prevent farmers from advancing further.
The move comes a day after Punjab Police cleared protesting farmers from the site late on Wednesday evening.
Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nanak Singh confirmed that the road was being cleared 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,” Singh maintained.
He further stated that the police did not have to resort to force as the protestors cooperated.
“Haryana Police will also begin their action. Once it opens from their side, movement on the highway will resume. We did not need to use any force because there was no resistance. Farmers cooperated well and they sat in buses by themselves,” he added.
Authorities also removed temporary structures erected by the protestors at the site.
Meanwhile, prominent farmer leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite fast, and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarvan Singh Pandher, were detained.
Also read: Pandher, Dallewal detained, Khanuri border to be opened
The detentions have triggered a political storm, with Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait condemning the Punjab government’s actions.
“In the ongoing agitation on the border of Punjab, on one hand the government is negotiating with the farmer organisations and on the other hand it is arresting them. We strongly condemn the action of the Punjab government and all the farmer organisations are ready for every struggle,” Tikait posted on X.
Former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi alleged that the crackdown was part of a larger conspiracy. “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.
BJP leader Fatehjung Singh Bajwa also criticised the Punjab government, asserting that AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had “betrayed” the farmers.
“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.
However, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema defended the state government’s actions, arguing that the border closures had adversely impacted Punjab’s economy.
“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.
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