On Wednesday, Punjab Police emptied the protest sites at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, removing barricades, vehicles, and temporary structures that had obstructed the highways for over a year. Police officials stated that the highways would soon be reopened after clearing the trolleys and other vehicles placed by farmers who had been protesting since February of last year.

Farmer leader Guramneet Singh Mangat informed the media that several farmer leaders, including Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal, were imprisoned in Mohali. They were going to the Shambhu protest site after discussions with the central delegation of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Meanwhile, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema justified the removal of farmers from the protest sites, stating that the prolonged blockade of two major highways had caused significant disruptions to industries and businesses. He emphasised that these highways are crucial for the state's economy, and their closure for over a year had negatively impacted trade and employment.

“The AAP is committed to providing jobs to youths, and industries can only function smoothly when the trade and business sectors operate without disruptions,” Cheema further said.

BJP leader and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu criticised the detention of farmer leaders, accusing the AAP-led Punjab government of attempting to disrupt the ongoing negotiations between the Centre and the farmers. The police action comes when industrialists in Punjab have been raising concerns over the financial losses they have faced due to the prolonged highway blockades. Earlier in the day, signs of a possible police crackdown became evident as a large number of police personnel were deployed at the two protest sites. This heightened security presence was observed while farmer leaders talked with the central delegation in Chandigarh.

Farmers under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been protesting at the Shambhu (Shambhu-Ambala) and Khanauri (Sangrur-Jind) border ends between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, 2024, last year. They gathered there after security forces prevented their march to Delhi. A critical demand of the protest is a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crops and other issues concerning farmers. Meanwhile, discussions in Chandigarh between farmer leaders and a central delegation aimed at resolving their demands ended without any breakthrough.

After a meeting that lasted for more than three hours, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated, “The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. The discussions took place in a positive and constructive manner. The talks will continue. The next meeting will take place on May 4.”