HC orders removal of barricades at Shambhu border within seven days
- In Reports
- 08:57 PM, Jul 10, 2024
- Myind Staff
On July 10th, the Punjab and Haryana High Court instructed the Haryana government to dismantle the barricades at the Shambhu border near Ambala within a week. The farmers have been stationed there since February 13th, following the interruption of their 'Delhi Chalo' march.
In February, the Haryana government erected barricades on the Ambala-New Delhi highway in response to the planned march by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) towards Delhi. The protestors were advocating for several demands, prominently including a legal assurance for minimum support prices (MSP) for agricultural crops.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court issued orders in response to a series of petitions regarding farmer issues and the blockade at the Shambhu border. A division bench comprising justices G S Sandhawalia and Vikas Bahl directed the Haryana government to remove the barricades within seven days. The court emphasised that while maintaining law and order, the government could take preventive measures as per the law if any issues arise.
Similar instructions were also given to the Punjab government to ensure law and order, with directives to remove any barricades on their side of the border. The overarching aim of the court's orders is to reopen the highway, as stated by Haryana Additional Advocate General Deepak Sabherwal following the hearing. Farmers, scheduled to meet on July 16, will discuss further actions in response to these developments.
Since February 13th, farmers have been encamped at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana after their march towards Delhi was halted by security forces. On February 21st, a tragic incident occurred at the Khanauri border where clashes resulted in the death of Shubhkaran from Bathinda, and several police officers were injured. The altercation ensued when some farmers attempted to breach the barricades, prompting security personnel to prevent them from crossing the state border into Delhi.
Haryana's Additional Advocate General, Deepak Sabherwal, clarified that the barricades were erected on February 10 to maintain law and order. He mentioned that currently, the farmers are situated on the Punjab side of the border, numbering around 400-500 individuals.
In response to the court's directive, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher stated that a meeting has been scheduled for both the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) on July 16 to discuss future actions. He reiterated their stance that the road blockade was not initiated by them but was implemented by the Central government and the Haryana government.
Image source: NDTV
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