The Punjab Police on Wednesday removed protesting farmers from the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border, detaining several leaders, including Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarvan Singh Pandher and farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who was on an indefinite hunger strike. Temporary structures set up by farmers at the protest site were also dismantled.
Reacting to the police action, Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema defended the move, stating that the Shambhu and Khanauri borders needed to be reopened for economic activity. “The AAP government and the people of Punjab supported the farmers during their protest against the three black laws. But now, their demands are directed at the central government. The prolonged border blockade has impacted traders and youth seeking employment,” Cheema told ANI. He urged farmers to protest in Delhi or elsewhere instead of blocking roads in Punjab.
Opposition Slams Punjab Government
The police crackdown drew strong criticism from opposition leaders. Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring accused the Centre and the AAP-led Punjab government of trying to isolate farmers. “The farmers were deceived. They were assured that their hunger strike would be followed by talks, but now they have been detained. This is an attempt to isolate Punjab’s farmers,” he said.
Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa slammed Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of being blinded by power. Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal claimed that Mann had “lost his mental balance,” alleging that he had misled farmers with false promises before elections.
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu also condemned the police action. In a video message, he stated, “Bhagwant Mann should be ashamed. Instead of resolving the issue through talks, the government resorted to detaining farmers to win the Ludhiana West by-election.”
Government-Farmer Talks to Continue
Despite the tensions, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described the latest round of talks with farmer leaders in Chandigarh as “very positive.” A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for May 4, raising hopes for a resolution to the ongoing standoff.
The farmers have been protesting over various demands, including guaranteed minimum support prices (MSP) for crops, compensation for crop damage, and debt waivers. As tensions remain high, all eyes are now on the next round of negotiations.
Sources By Agencies
