Punjab Police on Friday forcibly removed protesting farmers from the Shambhu and Khanauri border sites, which had been blocked for over a year. The eviction came amid heightened tensions, detentions of key farmer leaders, and a strong police presence. The move has sparked sharp reactions from political parties and farmer groups.
Police Eviction and Dismantling of Protest Sites
The Punjab Police, with the help of bulldozers, cleared the protest sites by dismantling temporary structures, removing trolleys, and taking down stages set up by the farmers. The operation was carried out at both the Shambhu (Shambhu-Ambala) and Khanauri (Sangrur-Jind) border points between Punjab and Haryana.
Farmers had been protesting at these locations since February 13 last year, after their march to Delhi was blocked by security forces. Their key demands include a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and other agricultural reforms.
Following the eviction, internet services were shut down at both the Shambhu and Khanauri borders in Punjab, further intensifying tensions in the region.
Detention of Farmer Leaders
In a major crackdown, several farmer leaders, including Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal, were detained in Mohali while returning from a meeting with a central delegation. Other farmer leaders, including Abhimanyu Kohar, Kaka Singh Kotra, and Manjit Singh Rai, were also detained.
Dallewal, who was in an ambulance at the time, was taken into custody after police reportedly removed the driver and took control of the vehicle. His detention, along with that of other leaders, led to a scuffle between security personnel and protesting farmers.
Heavy Police Deployment and Traffic Diversions
Signs of a potential crackdown were visible early in the day, with a significant police deployment at both protest sites. Ambulances, buses, firefighting vehicles, and anti-riot forces were stationed near the encampments. At the time of eviction, approximately 200 farmers were present at Khanauri and around 50 at the Shambhu border.
As a result of the police action, traffic on the affected routes was diverted, adding to the disruption in the area. A senior police officer stated that while the Punjab side of the highway had been cleared, the resumption of traffic would depend on when the Haryana government removed its barricades.
Political Reactions
The eviction has sparked a political storm, with different parties taking opposing stances on the issue. The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly criticized the police action, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab of trying to “sabotage” talks between farmers and the central government. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu condemned the detention of farmer leaders and urged Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to remove the barricades, suggesting that it would take two to three days to restore full traffic movement.
On the other hand, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema defended the police action, arguing that the prolonged blockade of highways had severely impacted trade and industry. He stated that reopening the roads was crucial for economic growth and job creation in the state.
Ongoing Talks with the Central Government
The eviction came shortly after a meeting between farmer leaders and a central delegation in Chandigarh. Agriculture Minister Chouhan, who led the discussions, described the meeting as “cordial and constructive,” but it ended without a resolution. Talks are set to continue, with the next round scheduled for May 4.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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