The Punjab government defended its actions before the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday, citing intelligence inputs that warned of a potential escalation at farmer protest sites in Shambhu and Khanauri.
According to the state, there were credible indications that protesting farmers might attempt to breach barricades and continue their march toward Delhi, prompting authorities to take precautionary measures.
An affidavit submitted by Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nanak Singh detailed intelligence findings from various sources, including the state’s intelligence wing, which suggested that farmers were likely to make a violent attempt at breaching the barricades.
The affidavit further stated that tensions escalated following a meeting on March 19 between leaders of protesting farmer organisations and a Union Government delegation led by the Union Agriculture Minister.
The meeting was perceived as a failure by farmer representatives, intensifying the situation at the protest sites. Notably, key protest leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal attended the meeting while receiving medical care in an ambulance provided by the Punjab Government, as per the Supreme Court’s directives.
The affidavit highlighted that, acting on critical and alarming intelligence inputs suggesting a possible breach of peace, the Punjab Government took preemptive measures on the intervening night of March 19-20.
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The state police and local administration worked to disperse protesters at Shambhu and Khanauri without resorting to excessive force. The affidavit emphasised that this action was necessary to prevent any law-and-order situation and to mitigate the hardships faced by the general public due to prolonged roadblocks.
Furthermore, the state asserted that the decision to clear protest sites was in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directives. The affidavit referenced various court orders that encouraged state authorities to manage the situation and bring an end to the impasse.
It noted that both Punjab and Haryana were expected to take necessary steps to restore normalcy and had, in certain instances, been appreciated for their actions in handling the protests.
The affidavit was submitted in response to a habeas corpus petition seeking the release of Jagjit Singh Dallewal. The petition, filed by farmer leader Gurmukh Singh through his legal counsel Gurmohan Preet Singh, Angrej Singh, and Kanwarjit Singh, alleged that Dallewal was being held in illegal custody by the respondents.
Also Read: Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal moved to hospital
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