Haryana Authorities Remove Barricades at Shambhu-Ambala Road as Farmers Announce Protests

 Chandigarh: In the wake of the eviction of protesting farmers from the Shambhu border, Haryana security forces on Thursday began dismantling cemented barricades that were initially installed to prevent Punjab farmers from marching towards Delhi. The removal efforts, carried out using JCB and other heavy machinery, mark the reopening of the Shambhu-Ambala road, which had remained blocked for over a year.

Security Measures and Evictions

The Haryana administration had fortified the border with cement blocks, iron nails, and barbed wire to deter farmers from advancing towards the capital as part of their ‘Delhi Chalo’ movement. In parallel, Punjab Police resumed its operation to clear remaining temporary structures on the Punjab side of the Shambhu border.

Farmers Announce Statewide Protests

Amid the crackdown, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha announced plans to hold statewide protests outside deputy commissioners’ offices, condemning the Punjab Police action. Both farmer bodies, which led the demonstrations at Shambhu and Khanauri border points, strongly criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab for evicting protesters and detaining key farmer leaders.

Detention of Farmer Leaders

On Wednesday, Punjab Police detained several prominent farmer leaders, including Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal, in Mohali as they were returning from a meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Chandigarh. The police also forcibly removed protesting farmers from the Shambhu and Khanauri protest sites, which had been occupied for over a year. Temporary structures, stages, and barricades erected by the farmers were dismantled using JCB machines.

Ongoing Farmer-Government Talks

The Chandigarh meeting marked the seventh round of discussions between the farmers and the central government, represented by Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Pralhad Joshi, and Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The discussions primarily focused on the demand for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.

However, as the farmer delegation returned to Mohali after the meeting, they encountered heavy police barricading, leading to tensions between security forces and protestors.

Farm Leaders Condemn Government Actions

Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) leader Satnam Singh Pannu strongly criticized the crackdown, accusing the Punjab government of being complicit in executing the Centre’s agenda.

"This is a blatant violation of democratic rights. Farmers were simply marching to Delhi to demand their rightful dues, but the Haryana government, acting on the Centre’s orders, erected barricades to suppress their voices," said Pannu.

Pannu further warned that both the AAP government in Punjab and the BJP-led central government would face political consequences for their actions. He also confirmed that thousands of farmers, including women, will participate in the upcoming statewide dharnas.

Punjab Government Defends Action

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema defended the government’s decision, emphasizing the economic impact of prolonged road blockades on trade and industry.

"The Aam Aadmi Party is committed to generating employment for Punjab’s youth, and that requires a functioning economy. Businesses and industries have suffered due to road closures, which are critical lifelines of the state," said Cheema.

While asserting Punjab’s support for the farmers' cause, Cheema urged them to direct their protest towards the Centre rather than disrupting local economic activities.

Health Concerns Over Hunger Strike

Meanwhile, detained farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since November 26, 2024, was shifted to the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences in Jalandhar for medical attention.

The ongoing farmer protests, which began on February 13, 2024, have remained a flashpoint in Punjab-Haryana relations. With farmer unions vowing to escalate their agitation and the government maintaining its stance, tensions are expected to persist in the coming weeks.