Haryana Removes Barricades at Shambhu Border After Farmers' Eviction

Haryana security personnel started removing cement barricades at the Shambhu border on Thursday morning, a day after Punjab Police evicted protesting farmers from the site. JCB machines were deployed to clear the concrete blocks from the Shambhu-Ambala road, which had remained closed for over a year. 

The barricades, which included cement blocks, iron nails, and barbed wire, were originally installed by Haryana authorities to prevent Punjab farmers from proceeding to Delhi as part of their 'Delhi Chalo' march. 

Farmer Leaders Detained 

On Wednesday, Punjab Police detained several farmer leaders in Mohali, including Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal. The detentions occurred as the leaders were returning from their seventh round of talks with a central delegation led by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Chandigarh. 

According to farmer leader Guramneet Singh Mangat, other detained leaders included Abhimanyu Kohar, Kaka Singh Kotra, and Manjit Singh Rai.

Protest Sites Cleared

Police also evicted farmers from both the Shambhu and Khanauri protest sites and dismantled temporary structures and stages using JCB machines. These sites had been blocked since February 13, 2024, when farmers' march to Delhi was halted by security forces.

The protesting farmers, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, had been demanding a law guaranteeing minimum support price (MSP) for crops, among other issues.

Punjab Government Justifies Action

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema defended the eviction, stating that industries and businesses had suffered due to the prolonged closure of the highways, which he described as "the lifelines of the state." 

"Trade has been suffering. This action has been taken after considering all the situations. We have been telling the farmer leaders that your fight is with the Centre. We are with you. But you are causing heavy loss to Punjab by closing the border," Cheema said. 

He added that the Punjab government remains committed to supporting farmers in their legitimate demands while urging them to focus their struggle against the Central government without impeding Punjab's economic progress.