Farmers Announce Nationwide Protest After Police Crackdown

Hours after police cleared the Shambhu and Khanauri border protest sites, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have called for nationwide protests outside deputy commissioners' offices on Thursday.

Some farm leaders have also announced a "chakka jam" (road blockade) across Punjab to protest the arrest of farmer leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Sarwan Singh Pandher, and others. These announcements have been made at the village level, with farmers instructed to block the nearest roads. 

Detained Leaders Begin Hunger Strike

According to Gurdeep Singh, spokesperson of SKM (Non-Political), the detained farmer leaders have started a hunger strike while in police custody.

Jagjit Singh Dallewal was initially brought to PIMS hospital in Jalandhar but refused to be admitted. He remained in a police vehicle outside the hospital amid tight security before being taken elsewhere. Sources later confirmed he was moved to a PWD rest house in Jalandhar Cantt.

Government sources indicate their strategy is to keep shifting Dallewal for the next two days to prevent farmers from gathering in his support, keeping his whereabouts secret.  

Internet Services Suspended 

In response to the growing tensions, internet services have been suspended in Sangrur district. Services have also been offline since Wednesday evening in Patiala and surrounding towns.

Border Clearance Operations

The Shambhu border has been almost cleared from the Punjab side, according to police, who have informed their Haryana counterparts. Haryana authorities are now working to remove slabs and boulders to reopen the border for vehicular traffic, with machines deployed to break concrete barriers.

Legal Notices to Farmer Leaders

Haryana Police have sent notices to farmer leaders Jasmeet Singh and Tejveer Singh, requiring them to appear before a Special Investigation Team on Thursday. The SIT is investigating a case registered against them last year. The notices warn of legal action if they fail to appear.

Farm Unions' Next Steps

The nine-member committee of Samyukt Kisan Morcha is scheduled to meet around noon to discuss their strategy. Meanwhile, SKM (All India), which includes leaders like Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Darshan Pal, and Harinder Singh Lakhowal, will also hold meetings on Thursday to decide their next course of action. 

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait has called the police crackdown "unprecedented" and urged farm unions across the country to unite, warning that otherwise, the government would "continue to quell their protest and facilitate corporates."