Punjab Police Clears Year-Long Farmer Blockades At Shambhu, Khanauri Borders; Top Leaders Detained

The Punjab Police on Wednesday (19 March) cleared farmer protest sites at Shambhu and Khanauri borders, removing barricades, vehicles, and temporary structures that had blocked the highways for over a year.

Earlier in the day, the two leaders at the forefront of the agitation were detained.

Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) leader Sarvan Singh Pandher and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non Political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal were detained while they were on their way back to Shambhu and Khanauri, respectively, after talks with the Centre.

The discussions were inconclusive with Union Minister Piyush Goyal taking an assertive stand on their MSP demand, Indian Express reported citing sources.

According to a Hindustan Times report, the police said that the two highways would be reopened soon after dismantling the structures and removing the trolleys and other vehicles that had been stationed by the farmers, who have been protesting since February last year.

Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema defended the eviction of farmers from the protest sites, saying that the prolonged closure of the two highways had severely impacted industries and businesses.

He added that the highways, which are vital for the state’s economy, had been blocked for over a year, affecting trade and employment.

By Wednesday night, police had detained all farmers at the Shambhu and Khanauri protest sites.

The authorities disconnected electricity on both sides of the highways, with police using torches to carry out their operation.

Before the police moved in at the Khanauri border, Patiala DIG Mandeep Singh Sidhu urged protesters to board the buses voluntarily.

Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike since November, and Pandher were detained upon entering Punjab from Chandigarh, following talks with Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Pralhad Joshi.

Dallewal’s ambulance was reportedly taken over by police near Zirakpur, while Pandher was detained at Mohali.

Other farmer leaders and those accompanying Dallewal and Pandher were also detained.

Dallewal was shifted to a hospital, while Pandher was moved to the Commando Training Centre in Bahadurgarh, Patiala.

Until now, the AAP government had refrained from taking strong measures against the protesting farmers, despite repeated failed negotiations. On Wednesday, Union ministers reportedly informed the farmers that their data to justify MSP for all crops was not satisfactory.

The next round of discussions was scheduled for 4 May.

The police action reportedly comes amid increasing concerns from industrialists in Punjab, who have been vocal about the financial losses they have suffered due to the prolonged closure of highways.

The protesting farmers, led by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been stationed at the Shambhu (Shambhu-Ambala) and Khanauri (Sangrur-Jind) border points between Punjab and Haryana since 13 February last year, after their march to Delhi was blocked by security forces.

Their protest has been centered around multiple demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.

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