Punjab Govt Removes Protesting Farmers From Shambhu Border, Dismantle Camps, Clears Highway

Chandigarh: Punjab Police evicted protesting farmers and dismantled their temporary structures at the Punjab- Haryana Shambhu Border, where they had been protesting for over a year regarding various demands. During the demolition of these structures, a clash erupted between farmers and police, leading to the detention of several farmers.

The detained farmers were taken to the Bahadurgarh Commando Police Training Center. Bulldozers were used to remove the temporary structures, and all farmers were cleared from the site.

Reports suggest that the police action followed the detention of farmer leaders, including Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal, in Mohali as they were returning from a meeting with central government officials.

Speaking about AAP government's action, Patiala SSP Nanak Singh stated, “Farmers had been protesting at the Shambhu Border for a long time. Today, in the presence of Duty Magistrates, the police cleared the area after issuing proper warnings. Some farmers willingly agreed to leave and were sent home by bus. The structures and vehicles are being removed, and the road will be reopened for traffic. Haryana Police will also take action on their side to resume highway movement. No force was needed as the farmers cooperated and boarded the buses voluntarily.”

Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema justified the government’s action, stating that the farmers’ demands were from the central government. However, their protest and the highway blockade were causing significant inconvenience to civilians, traders and industries. He emphasised that reopening the Shambhu and Khanauri borders would benefit traders and create employment opportunities for the youth of Punjab.

“The AAP government and the people of Punjab supported the farmers during their protest against the three black laws. However, the demands of the farmers are against the central government. The prolonged closure of the Shambhu and Khanauri borders has upset traders and youth. Reopening these borders will allow businesses to thrive and provide employment opportunities, keeping the youth away from drugs. The farmers should protest in Delhi or elsewhere but not block Punjab’s roads,” Cheema said.

AAP played with farmers, alleges BJP  

BJP leader Fatehjung Singh Bajwa criticised the AAP government, alleging that the detention of farmer leaders was politically motivated to secure a Rajya Sabha seat for Arvind Kejriwal and win the Ludhiana West by-election. “The BJP stands with the farmers of Punjab, but CM Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal have betrayed them.”

Akali Dal on action against farmers 

MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal accused CM Bhagwant Mann of failing to fulfill promises made to farmers during the elections.

“Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has lost its mental balance... Jagjit Singh Dallewal who was on an indefinite hunger strike has also been detained by the police... During the elections, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann promised that he would fulfil all the demands of the farmers, but after the formation of the government, he is just lying to the farmers. No one is safe in Punjab...”

Congress ' Charanjit Singh Channi on AAP Govt's action against farmers  

Former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi called the action against farmers a conspiracy, stating, “...Farmers are being attacked as part of a 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...”

Union Minister slams AAP Govt's action 

Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu condemned the AAP government’s actions, accusing them of detaining farmers to win the Ludhiana West by-election. He said, “...I condemn this action… They voted for you (AAP government) and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann should be ashamed... They (AAP government) did not want a solution to be found through talks between the central government and the farmers... You detained farmers just to win the Ludhiana West by-election... People of Punjab will not allow Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to enter any village...”

Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring alleged that both the central and AAP governments were isolating Punjab’s farmers.